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CONTRIBUTORS Lucy Allen, Richard Bainbridge, John Bultitude, Benet Catty, Melanie Cook, Rebecca Coulby, Andrew Florides, Julian Gibbons, Pete Goodrum, Matt Joy, Matt Kimberley, Carl Lamb, Victor Ling, Ellen Mary, Neil MacLennan, Nick Mobbs, Mark Nicholls, Hayley Philpot, Franck Pontais, Jennifer Read, Donna Titcombe, Simon Wainright, Ed Wiseman

See all of our Society photos on our website placesandfaces.co.uk

FOOD AND DRINK are always at the forefront of our minds here at Places & Faces‰ and we love hearing about new restaurants, cafés and bars. As always, there’s plenty on the menu in the magazine this month, with some delicious-looking recipes from our talented regulars Richard Bainbridge, Simon Wainwright and Franck Pontais, as well as some fabulous, foolproof dishes from the current queen of the kitchen, Mary Berry, who’ll be in Norwich at the beginning of March (more on page 51). We also catch up with Katie and Matthew Pamlin to find out what’s new at the popular Earlham Arms in Norwich and head back to the fabulous, contemporary Porterhouse Bar & Grill in Gorleston for our new Cocktail of the Month feature (turn to page 65). Meanwhile, we’re also fast-forwarding to May when the new Top Gear will screech back on to our screens. With his TV, radio, CarFest and other commitments, new Top Gear presenter Chris Evans is a busy man, but Lucy Allen managed to catch up with him to find out all about the much-anticipated, new-look TV motoring show and his well-known love of cars (more on page 20). And with the February half-term only just over, we’re already looking forward to the Easter holidays, so this month’s What’s On pages (on pages 10, 11 and 13) include an extra page of ideas for family activities and days out. This issue also includes John Bultitude’s article on Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty, another must-see show at the Norwich Theatre Royal (see page 16), while Pete Goodrum continues his interesting look back at the hits of past decades, focusing on the 1970s and the era of Abba (page 27). A big thank you to all our advertisers and contributors for supporting Places & Faces‰ magazine and enjoy this month’s read!

Carolyn Atkins Ps. Congratulations to Abigail Craig from Norwich, winner of our recent competition with The Dial House hotel and Marie Reynolds beauty salon in Reepham.

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CONTENTS

32 COVER STORY

20 £3.50 WHERE SOLD MARCH 2016

FASHION AND BEAUTY

THE Magazine for Norfolk & North Suffolk

40 Norwich Fashion Week is back! 38 Stylish ski wear 42 Stunning stripes 47 Gorgeous gifts for girls 49 Luxurious leather goods

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MARY BERRY’S FOOLPROOF COOKING

MATTHEW BOURNE’S SLEEPING BEAUTY

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A MAGICAL NIGHT OUT EXCITING TIMES AT

THE EARLHAM ARMS

HIT SWITZERLAND’S SLOPES PLUS FAB SKI FASHION

CHRIS EVANS GEARS UP FOR HIS NEW TV SHOW

CELEBRITIES / FOOD / TRAVEL / FASHION / HOMES & GARDENS / THEATRE

ISSUE 72

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The cars are the stars - why Chris Evans is looking forward to the new-look Top Gear

CELEBRITIES

27 Pete Goodrum highlights more bands from the 70s 51 Ready, steady… BAKE! TV’s Mary Berry makes her way to Norwich

MARCH 2016

94 WHAT’S ON

10 Events and activities around the region 13 Exciting Easter ideas 16 Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty is a magical night out 19 Praise for The Father

TRAVEL

32 Why Kandersteg is a ski resort with a difference

60 Editor’s Choice Carolyn Atkins selects some must-do events and activities for March BEST FILM

Following the recent BAFTAs and Oscars, this month’s must-see film has to be The Revenant, starring the ever-versatile Leonardo DiCaprio. This multi award-winning epic sees Hollywood’s make-up and costume departments at their best, turning the star into a wild-looking frontiersman on a fur trading expedition in the 1820s battling both the elements and a grizzly bear.

51 HOMES AND GARDENS

79 Beautiful bathrooms 80 Easter ideas for the home 85 Spring colours from JHD Interiors 93 Neil MacLennan takes a look at Stamp Duty 94 Property of the Month: a historic house in Harleston 98 Gardening expert Ellen Mary looks forward to spring 102 Art, auctions and antiques

FOOD AND DRINK

56 Richard Bainbridge creates a warming garlic soup 58 Exciting times at The Earlham Arms 60 Another delicious dish from The Imperial Hotel 63 Franck Pontais serves up a taste of Spain 65 Mixing it up: a fab Ferrero Rocher cocktail

COMPETITION

67 Win a luxurious two-night stay at Park Farm in Hethersett

BUSINESS

69 Planning the perfect conference 109 Carl Lamb considers Pension Savings 111 Julian Gibbons on our access to justice

MOTORING

114 Ed Wiseman tries out the new Toyota Rav4 Hybrid 116 Matt Joy tests the Volvo XC90 118 Matt Kimberley reviews the Suzuki Vitara

REGULARS

123 High Society: more pictures from the region’s social occasions 130 Five Minutes With… Ben Conway from Dipple & Conway

BEST FOR FASHION

Our friends at Norwich OPEN are hosts to much of this year’s Norwich Fashion Week, which runs from Thursday, March 10 to 17 – a great new venue for a great concept. Turn to page 40 to find out who’ll be strutting their stuff on the catwalks this year.

BEST GARDENS

With the clocks going forward on Easter Sunday, the days will be getting longer and lighter. Good news, then, that the new National Gardens Scheme booklet has been launched in Norfolk, with people opening their gardens across the county to raise money for a range of nursing charities. To visit a garden, volunteer to help, open your garden, make a donation or simply find out more, visit: www.ngs.org.uk

BEST FAMILY SHOW

Sing-A-Long-A-Frozen is coming to the Marina Theatre in Lowestoft on Saturday, March 5. Not only can fans of the hit film see it again on the big screen, but this time round the lyrics will be displayed so that the audience can sing along and there are lots of other opportunities to join in. So if your little ones love Queen Elsa, Anna and Co, come along at 2.30pm for a great family afternoon out. Box Office: 01502 533200. www.marinatheatre.co.uk

BEST FOR A BET

Over 100 years of National Hunt racing tradition continues at Fakenham Racecourse on Easter Monday, March 28, with the Family Fun Raceday. Gates open at 11am, with seven races between 2.15pm and 5.45pm, plus plenty of family entertainment including a visit by the Easter Bunny. Entry free to all those under 17 when accompanied by a paying adult. www.fakenhamracecourse.co.uk

BEST CHARITY INITIATIVE

Visitors to the Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital can do their bit for charity by buying one of three new pin badges. For a suggested donation of £1, badges can be bought from the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, the Colney Centre and the Jenny Lind Children’s Department, with all proceeds going directly to the three hospital departments’ charities.

BEST NEW BOOK

Colouring is currently in fashion for adults and children alike, so Great Yarmouth author Shemily McBur is bang on trend with her Prehistoric Colouring Book which she co-designed with her daughter Emily and which has just been published by Austin Macauley (www.austinmacauley.com), priced at £7.99. The book’s beautiful illustrations demonstrate the pair’s artistic skills and their passion for palaeontology.

what’ s on There are so many activities on this month that it’s easy to find something to do Check out these suggestions, together with some special Easter events overleaf

FUNNY NIGHTS OUT Some of the country’s top comedians are on their way to Norfolk this month. In his sell-out Outside Looking In tour, which arrives at the King’s Lynn Corn Exchange on Wednesday, March 2, well-known TV comic Ed Byrne reflects on everything from life as a father and husband to feminism and transgenderism (Box Office: 01553 764864). Meanwhile, the Norwich Playhouse welcomes Joe Lycett, Russell Howard (pictured), Mark Thomas, Jenny Éclair and Tom Stade, all guaranteed to bring the house down. Box Office: 01603 598598. #MOTHERSGOFREE Amazona Zoo in Cromer is offering mothers a special treat on Mothering Sunday, March 6, with a free entry ticket to celebrate their special day with their family. Those with little ones in tow will love this fascinating place with its incredible selection of animals native to South America. There’s also a well-equipped indoor play area, a tarantula spider house, an adorable South American guinea pig village, a lakeside café and a gift shop. www.amazonazoo.co.uk

HAVING A HORRIBLE TIME! The show that stormed into the finals of Britain’s Got Talent is marking its 21st anniversary in spectacular style. The Circus of Horrors is on tour throughout the UK and arrives at the Great Yarmouth Hippodrome on March 11 at 6pm and 9pm. Not suitable for under-14s, this new incarnation, ‘Welcome to the Carnevil’, is set in Victorian London when Jack the Ripper was at large and tells the story of a young girl whose dream of joining the circus becomes a nightmare. Box Office: 01493 844172 or book online at: www.hippodromecircus.co.uk

MARCH 2016

WHAT’S ON

LOOKING TO THE FUTURE Holkham Hall in North Norfolk has invested £4.5 million in new visitor facilities and a new farming exhibition and will re-open to the public on Sunday, March 20. Called Field to Fork, Food and Farming on the Holkham Estate, Past and Present, the new display tells the story of the Hall’s fascinating farming history and demonstrates the relationship between the land and food production in a fun and engaging way. The new Courtyard Café and gift shop will also be open. www.holkham.co.uk

DANCING THE NIGHT AWAY The lovely St George’s Theatre in Great Yarmouth has always got something worthwhile going on and An Evening with Ian Waite and Camilla Dallerup (at 7.30pm on Tuesday, March 29) is just one of many great events coming up. After two sell-out performances last year, join the couple from BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing plus professional singer Paul Amer and guests for a spectacular evening of dance, singing and stories. Adults £25; concessions £22. Box Office: 01493 331484 or www. stgeorgestheatre.com

GILBERT & SULLIVAN Head to All Saints and St Margaret’s Church in Pakefield, Suffolk, when the Pakefield Singers bring Gilbert & Sullivan to the Cliff Edge at 7.30pm on Saturday, March 5. Conducted by Vetta Wise and accompanied by Terry Cunnane, this performance costs £6 for adults (children £3), with tickets available from Knights Vision and Spar in Pakefield. Alternatively call 01502 574040 or email bcbaker@sky.com. All proceeds to church funds.

GUIDED WALK FOR MOTHER’S DAY Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden in South Walsham is holding a guided walk from 11am to 12.30pm on Mother’s Day, Sunday, March 6, when you can explore this wonderful woodland garden full of yellowflowering plants such as wild primrose,

MEET THE MAKERS The first Snape Maltings Vintage & Makers Market of the year takes place from 10am to 4pm on Sunday, March 6 featuring vintage traders and local artisans, makers and craftspeople. Expect furniture, fashion and homewares, locally-made products, artworks, fabrics, jewellery, tasty food and drink and more. www.debenevents.com

skunk cabbage and daffodils, as well as wood anemones and camellias. Every mum will receive a primrose plant. The walk is included in the garden entry: adults £6.50, concessions £5.90, children £3.75 (underfives free). www.fairhavengarden.co.uk KING CHARLES III Following a sold-out run at the Almeida Theatre and a critically-acclaimed West End season, Mike Bartlett’s multi awardwinning new play King Charles III arrives in Norwich. The Queen is dead: after a lifetime of waiting, the prince, played by Robert Powell, ascends the throne. A future of power – but how to rule? This future history play explores the people underneath the crowns, the unwritten rules of our democracy and the conscience of Britain’s most famous family. Box Office: 01603 630000. www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk IN QUEST OF BEAUTY Last chance to see Alphonse Mucha, In Quest of Beauty, which continues until Sunday, March 20. This fabulous exhibition, at the Sainsbury Centre at the UEA, features Czech-born Alphonse Mucha’s delightful Art Nouveau decorative panels and advertising posters, with over 60 works on display, together with an interesting film about the artist. Entry £7 (concessions £6). www.scva.ac.uk COLOURFUL OCCASION X Factor winner Joe McElderry puts on his coat of many colours as he steps into the title role of the UK’s longest-running musical at the King’s Lynn Corn Exchange from March 15 to 19. This vibrant and exciting production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat retells the biblical story of Joseph and his 11 brothers and is packed with hits including Jacob and Sons, Close Every Door and Any Dream Will Do. www.kingslynncornexchange.co.uk

MARCH 2016

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NORWICH

Sat 21 May 8.00pm

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ORCHESTRA AND CHORUS

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Kirstin Sharpin, Katherine Broderick, Catherine May sopranos Anne Marie Gibbons, Anna Burford mezzo-sopranos ★ Peter Wedd tenor ★ James Harrison baritone Richard Wiegold bass

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TICKETS £28, £24, £18, £12 BOX OFFICE Theatre Royal, Theatre Street, Norwich NR2 1RL TEL 01603 766400 www.nnfestival.org.uk CONCESSIONS 10% off (excl top price) UNDER 25s Limited seats at £7.50 (excl top price)

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WHAT’S ON

HAVE A

CRACKING EASTER! Easter is early this year, with Easter Sunday falling on March 27, and plenty of events going on. Here are just half a dozen suggestions… THE THREE DEGREES American female vocal group The Three Degrees will be belting out their hits at St George’s Theatre, Great Yarmouth, at 4pm on Easter Sunday, March 27. Formed in 1963 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the group has remained a trio with two original members since Sheila Ferguson left many moons ago, with The Three Degrees now Helen Scott, Valerie Holiday and Freddie Pool. A firm favourite with Prince Charles, the glamorous group is well-known for its soulful voices, beautiful gowns and fabulous stage shows. Tickets £26.50 (or £39.50 with VIP meet and greet). Box Office: 01493 331484 or www.stgeorgestheatre.com NORWICH GAMING FESTIVAL �� Expect education, entertainment and technology when the Norwich Gaming Festival returns to The Forum from Easter Monday, March 28, to Saturday, April 2. Celebrating all aspects of video games and their development, this popular free event offers a wide range of activities for all age groups, including retro

games, seminars, a quiz night (at OPEN on Bank Plain), free talks, tutorials and workshops. www.theforumnorwich.co.uk PIRATES LIVE! Jack Jay and Johnny Mac return for their third all-new hilarious live action show Pirates Live! at the Hippodrome in Great Yarmouth this Easter. The brand new swashbuckling pirate water show returns for a limited run after two previous sellout seasons featuring an amazing cast of actors, acrobats and aerialists all set on a huge galleon, with the fully immersive set turning the interior of this historic theatre into a pirate port. From Good Friday, March 25, to Sunday, April 17. Box Office: 01493 844172. www.hippodromecircus.co.uk THE BIG TOP IS BACK! The Foolhardy Circus returns to Wroxham Barns with a new Easter show, Smile. This talented circus troupe will be at the popular visitor attraction at midday and 2pm from Good Friday, March 25 to Sunday, April 10.

Tickets £5 each (under twos free). www.wroxhambarns.co.uk WOODBRIDGE VINTAGE & MODERN MARKET Head to the Shire Hall and Market Hill in Woodbridge on Easter Saturday, March 26, for 50 stalls from vintage traders, artisans and craftspeople featuring interiors, fashion and art, plus lots of lovely local food and drink. From 9.30am to 4pm. More at: www.debenevents.com THE STEVE HEWLETT SHOW Steve Hewlett brings his comedy ventriloquist show back to Cromer where it all began. Since his Britain’s Got Talent final success in 2013, Steve has toured the UK with his own show, made several TV appearances and supported Brian Conley, Jethro, Ronn Lucas and many more. Featuring fun and laughter for the whole family, the show is on at 3pm on Easter Monday, March 28. Box Office: 01263 512495. www.cromerpier.co.uk MARCH 2016

Lifestyle and Leisure EQUESTRIAN

Saturday 21st May 7.30pm

Richard & Adam: Up Close & Personal

WALKING & FOOTWEAR

ARRIVI W O N K STOC SPRING

Classical singing brothers Richard & Adam wowed audiences all around the world when they hit our TV screens on ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent in 2013. Since the show the brothers’ career has gone from strength to strength, with them performing all over the UK and internationally. Richard & Adam have had many opportunities to perform live at many top performance destinations, including Radio 2 at Hyde Park singing to an audience of 45,000, and being part of BBC’s Children In Need in November 2015. With Richard & Adam’s estimated total album sales at almost half a million, their fifth studio album, Believe, will be released in Spring 2016 on Sony Classical.

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A THING OF

BEAUTY A classic fairytale set across generations which became a huge hit for a world-renowned choreographer is heading back to the Norwich Theatre Royal, as John Bultitude explains. Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty mixes the Gothic and the modern in a must-see dance production which has enchanted theatre-goers on both sides of the Atlantic

HERE IS NO DOUBT ABOUT IT, Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty has a strong performing pedigree. Its previous tour in 2012 was the fastest-selling in the history of Matthew’s company and the production is winning critical acclaim as it heads back out on the road again. The latest national tour reaches the Norwich Theatre Royal on March 8 to 12 and is sure to be a huge hit all over again. And if you are expecting a carbon copy of the production’s previous visit, you will be disappointed. Matthew admits he is constantly working on the production to enhance it further: “It is fair to say I tweak the production a lot and sometimes every day. There are always new ideas. Our fans, who will book to see a production more than once, know they are going to get something different.” Set in the kingdom of King Benedict and Queen Eleanor, the beautiful Princess Aurora spends her early years in a Gothic setting among fairies and vampires. As she grows up and matures, she finds herself in the more uptight Edwardian era while also finding a romantic interest in the royal gamekeeper Leo. But evil forces are set to interfere in her life and the production ends up in modern times where Princess Aurora experiences things much stranger than a fairy world. This is a bit of a departure from the traditional story but that is a hallmark of Matthew’s work and something in which he believes passionately. He explained: “If the audience didn’t know the story, as, of course, they do with Sleeping Beauty, I’d have to spell it out, but this way allows me to be creative within the existing structure. “Everyone gets it but then you can surprise them. I set Cinderella within the Blitz of World War Two to make it completely new and exciting, but the basic premise of the bad

relations and out-of-reach love is infinitely transferable.” Up-and-coming dancer Ashley Shaw takes on the central role of Aurora fresh from playing Lana in the revival of The Car Man and Kim in Edward Scissorhands. She will share the role with Cordelia Braithwaite, who made her debut with New Adventures in 2013 and is excited about taking on her first principal role. Meanwhile the part of her love interest Leo will be shared by Dominic North and Chris Trenfield. Dominic has the distinction of appearing in more New Adventures productions than any other and was also nominated for the title Outstanding Male Dancer at the National Dance Awards for his performance as Edward Scissorhands last year. Chris is one of the most versatile leading men in the company playing Luca in The Car Man – a role he reprised for its broadcast on Sky Arts – with his other New Adventures roles including Tony in Play Without Words, the title role in Nutcracker and The Swan/Stranger in Swan Lake. He is enjoying the chance to revisit the part of Leo, too. “This is the second time I’ve done the role and it is really nice to come back to a part I can bring new things to. There is so much more freedom when you co-create a role. The show itself is also very fast-paced with lots of highs and lows.” The production also boasts a strong team behind the scenes with Matthew working once again with regular collaborators Lez Brotherston, Paule Constable and Paul Groothuis on the set/costumes, lighting and sound respectively. Matthew believes the combination of his company, collaborator and his freedom to be more experimental helps him attract an audience. “Every company wants to please the public but we can do it on a much wider scale as we are not tied to tradition. I want everyone to be happy and to understand

WHAT’S ON

how much I love these pieces and that I am telling the story in a different way,” said Matthew. “Over the years, the standard of dancing in my company has gone up considerably. All our production standards are high, so if there is any criticism, it can’t be made on that level.” Overall Matthew says he has been pleased with the reaction Sleeping Beauty has had so far. He recalled: “I met a couple who hadn’t seen much dance but had seen my Swan Lake and loved it so they came back to see Sleeping Beauty, and said they had been in tears ten minutes in. It is lovely to hear. There is a level at which the public experience a piece that a critic just can’t.” So it sounds like audiences in the East are in for a real treat with Matthew’s mix of magic and mystery as Sleeping Beauty is re-awakened by the master of choreography.

Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty

will be at the Norwich Theatre Royal from Tuesday 8 to Saturday March 12 at 7.30pm, and Thursday and Saturday matinees at 2.30pm. Tickets £8 to £39. Discounts for Over-60s, Under-18s and Groups. Audio-described performance on Saturday 12 March at 2.30pm. Box Office: 01603 630000.

www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk MARCH 2016

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WEST END REVIEW

The Father

Until March 26, 2016 Duke of York’s Theatre St Martin’s Lane London WC2N 4BG Box Office: 0844 871 7623

www.atgtickets.com

REMEMBER THIS

A PLAY ABOUT AN OLD MAN gradually descending into dementia and the effect this has on his family feels likely to be a tough evening out. But for a subject that will touch so many people in their lifetimes (800,000 people are estimated to suffer from dementia in the UK) it feels relevant and, though variously frightening and moving, it is not a feel-bad show. It exudes warmth and generosity, which remain even as sadness threatens to overwhelm them. Adapted from Florian Zeller’s award-winning French play translated by Christopher Hampton, author of Les Liaisons Dangereuses (currently brilliantly revived in London starring Dominic West) and the long-running Art, The Father walks a line between domestic drama and Pinter-inflected tension and oddity. Hampton and Zeller’s impressive achievement lies in managing to be simultaneously heavy of subject but light of touch. The play puts the audience in a similar mindset to the central character Andre - a state of partial confusion - taking him and us from slight discomfort to total panic. Without wishing to spoil any surprises, we discover that the daughter he’s been talking to and we’ve come to know is not who he (and we) thought she was and the relationship she’s in appears to be unclear, too. And he can’t find his watch. Following each of the many snap blackouts that punctuate scene breaks, accompanied by jagged, irritating piano music, we return sometime later and gradually notice that some furniture in the room has magically vanished. And yet it is never referred to. Representing the gradual loss of his mind and bearings, the slow transformation of the design from a fairly standard middle class living room to, ultimately, three bare walls and a bed becomes dislocating and ultimately devastating. Kenneth Cranham, the original inspector in the world-conquering Stephen Daldry production of An Inspector Calls, plays the eponymous character with warmth and humour and absolutely no

Photo by Simon Annand

Returning for a short London run and a tour, The Father holds the dual distinction of being not only the most critically-praised new play in London this decade but also one of the least-likely commercial hits. Benet Catty finds out more

sense of heartstring-pulling. Despite his charm and his seeming conviviality, there comes a choice for the children - the life he’s in the process of forgetting, or their life that they are yet to experience. Either choice is right or wrong, depending on your point of view, and many will have made it themselves or known those who have had to. The choice made here is moving; his unawareness of it is ultimately almost overwhelming. I’d be hard pressed to think of a play after which I have felt so shaken for so long since Edward Albee’s masterpiece The Goat starring Jonathan Pryce and a then-unknown Eddie Redmayne more than a decade ago. The silence in an audience of 1,000 people during the play’s final scene was almost as astonishing as the concluding moments themselves; as if the audience, like his memory and sense of himself, had gradually faded away. The standing ovation which followed felt like it was an audience not just celebrating a great cast, or even Cranham’s award-winning lead performance, nor the dutiful rise to the feet that has become increasingly common in West End shows in the last few years. Rather it felt like it was an audience giving respect and thanks to a play that provides such emotional intelligence to a subject that will personally touch so many of us. The Father is one of a triptych of plays by Zeller translated by Hampton, and London will be able to see all of them in the next couple of months. The Mother runs at the Tricycle Theatre in Kilburn until March 5 and is very much a companion piece in both style and tone to The Father, with Gina McKee playing the central character. Although excellently played, it has much less emotional power. The Truth opens at the Menier Chocolate Factory on March 10. Meanwhile an entirely new production of The Father starring Frank Langella is about to open in New York. No wonder. This play about losing one’s memory is one of the most memorable plays in London.

MARCH 2016

If you speak ‘car’ it doesn’t matter where you’re from. And if you go to international events, Britain or Daytona or the international whatever, everybody talks car. It’s like dogs, they’re the same as dogs

CELEBRITY INTERVIEW

THE

CARS ARE THE STARS New Top Gear presenter Chris Evans was in the States recently to promote the new-look motoring show, which will air in the UK and America in May. He spoke to Lucy Allen

MARCH 2016

NEW TOP GEAR FRONTMAN CHRIS EVANS will be joined by a host of other car fanatics and stars when he steers the revamped motoring show in May. Chris will be driving the show, joined by American actor Matt LeBlanc, Formula 1 commentator Eddie Jordan, German racing driver Sabine Schmitz, motoring journalist Chris Harris and TV presenter Rory Reid, while the show’s famous test-driver, The Stig, will continue to take the cars through their paces. Commenting on his new appointment, former Friends star Matt LeBlanc said: “As a car nut and a massive fan of Top Gear, I’m honoured and excited to be a part of this iconic show’s new chapter. What a thrill!” while Sabine Schmitz, the show’s first female presenter in 15 years, said: “The chance to combine both driving and filming was too good an opportunity to pass up. I’ve appeared on Top Gear a few times in the past, so I know we’re going to have a lot of fun.” A self-confessed car fanatic, Chris Evans signed a three-year deal with the BBC last June and is now gearing up to present the maverick motoring show, dubbed “the most-watched factual show in the world” which will be broadcast on BBC2 in the UK and BBC America in the States. Commenting on the show’s new line-up, the popular TV presenter, BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show host and Mail on Sunday car columnist said: “We really do have a bit of everything for everyone.” As all Top Gear fans know, the show was formerly presented by Jeremy Clarkson, whose contract with the BBC was not renewed after an altercation with a producer during a film shoot last year. Along with his former co-hosts James May and Richard Hammond, Clarkson is currently working on a new car show for Amazon Prime, which will go head-to-head with the new-look Top Gear this spring. Top Gear is known for featuring mini-films in exotic locations and 49-year-old Chris Evans was in California working on one of these when Lucy caught up with him….

MARCH 2016

So Chris, tell us about your vision for the new Top Gear CHRIS EVANS: “OK. I’ll just tell you how I got the job, first of all. On June 11 last year, I got a phone call asking if I was interested in having a conversation about Top Gear and so I said yes - I was very excited about being given the chance to work on the biggest TV show in the world. The show has been on since 1978…it’s seen many different presentations, over 30. But everybody had left… there’s one guy called Alex Renton who remained in his seat, the lone warrior of Top Gear and the BBC. So Alex came out to my house, and I said: ‘So how do you make Top Gear?’ and he said: ‘How long have you got?’ I said: ‘Probably the next three years.’ So we started to hire a production team, and we started to come up with ideas.”

LAMBORGHINI SESTO ELEMENTO

Why do you think Top Gear is so popular? “Because of the cars. If you make a great show about cars, especially for us on a Sunday at eight o’clock on BBC2, it’s a great thing to watch. Kids love it, families love it. Cars - they rule, they’re like sport and they bring you a story. Cars bring the idea in. It’s like: ‘Where shall we go with this? Is this a three-day thing, or is this a power test, or is it a drag race or do we put my Mum in it, who’s 90, or do we see how many dogs we can fit in the back – what do we do?’” What was your first car? “My first car was a Mini.” And what are you driving now? “Well, my daily drive is a 1976 Rolls-Royce Corniche convertible. I don’t actually own a new car because I write a review column for the Mail on Sunday - it’s the most-read car column in Britain. I get sent a new car every week to review, so I have to drive that… and I don’t have need for another car. But I’ve got a lot of cars, and I love my cars. But my daily drive would be the ‘76 RollsRoyce.” What year was the Mini? “Its number plate was VJA879K, so it would probably be a ‘72. My Mum bought it and she couldn’t afford it - she had to go into debt.” Can you tell us about your time in America? You’ve just finished filming on the Pacific Coast Highway and are working on a piece involving a 17-mile drive to Pebble Beach, visiting Laguna Seca and flying to Nevada to make a film at the Top Gun airfield… The thing about Top Gear scripts is they’re more like screen plays and theatrical scripts, because it’s all about action and it’s all about movement. Things have to move within five seconds on Top Gear - you’ve got to build some moments, otherwise you get these nebulous, amorphic films that don’t really say anything, so you have to get some moments and energy. So we had this script to go to the Pacific Coast Highway involving helicopters and helicams, and then the rain came down, the clouds came down, and the helicopter had to land twice, so we relocated to 17 Mile Drive and the Pebble Beach ocean and the drama of all that. We started to film 72 seals clinging to one rock and 72 Japanese tourists clinging to another - it was quite funny! I can’t go back to London with a 24 crew, having spent tens of thousands of pounds of the BBC’s money because there was a little rain. So we had to adapt the script. Then the sun came out, because we’d just rewritten the script with the rain! So it was quite interesting - it was baptism by fire, to say the least.”

Do you have “muscle” cars in Britain? “If you want to buy a cheap American car you can buy them in Britain, because they don’t go for as much money. But you have your Duesenbergs and things like that. I go to the auctions in Pebble Beach and Monterey and Arizona and you have some beautiful old cars; the Auburn with the fast back, what a car that is! But the old cars are more about aesthetics really and the curves - old cars have better curves. Curves age better, corners don’t age as well. It’s very hard to draw a curve without using the human hand and it’s the spirit of the human that gets into a car that’s got curves.” What about the stars of the show, the cars that you were filming? “Well, there was one car - the new Audi RV8 V10-plus. We investigated the ‘plus’, where does the ‘plus’ come from? First of all, we did a normal road test and then we went to Big Sur, which is very nice. I’ve been there before in the sunshine. Then at Laguna Seca we did - what can this car do, how fast can it go, what does it mean, is it really a super car… should super cars be uncomfortable, do they have to be agricultural? You know, what is it that Audi has done to Lamborghini, because they bought Lamborghini back in 1998 and Lamborghini seems to be a bit more diluted now and a bit less exciting. Whereas Audi has stolen the guts from Lamborghini and made themselves better. So does that work? Is that a fair kind of collaboration - all that kind of stuff.” Are you experienced at driving both left-handed and righthanded cars? “A lot of my cars are left-hand drive anyway.” But on the Pacific Coast Highway, you’ve got a cliff on one side and the ocean on the other… “You can’t wander off that’s for sure. But the best car is a McLaren F1 because it doesn’t have left or right, it’s in the middle. A lot of the older cars used to have middle steering wheels. The first ever Land Rover had a centrally-mounted steering wheel and the reason they stopped making them like that was because you had to indicate left and right and your arms weren’t long enough to get outside.

What is the difference between car lovers in America and the UK? “The whole thing about cars is they’re an international language. If you speak ‘car’ it doesn’t matter where you’re from. If you go to international events, Britain or Daytona or whatever, everybody talks car. It’s like dogs, they’re the same as dogs.” AUDI RV8

MCLAREN F1

So who would you like to have on the show? “I’d like to have Seinfeld on the show - I’d love to have Seinfeld.

film, which is a film we’re going to make in Nevada, where it’s minus 17, apparently; the Audi R8; and a film about the Model X - we want to come back and make that film. But if you get a car that’s no good, you’ve got to point out why And will we see your Bentley on the show? it’s not good. But nowadays, they’re all so good, it’s very hard “Which Bentley?” to get a car that’s not three stars out of five. So you really have to start to pull them apart. If you look at the idea of the R8, it’s Didn’t you say you had a… a brilliant, brilliant car. And if you look at the Dodge Viper, it’s “Rolls-Royce Corniche. Do you know why I’ve got a Corniche?” a brilliant, brilliant car. If you look at all the cars out in the lot, they’re probably four-and-a-half stars out of five, all of them. No, why? So you have to look at why people want them, who wants “Because I couldn’t find a ******* Bentley because they are so them, what kind of worlds are they going into, what can you rare! So I got a Corniche as a filler. But now she’s earned her do around the car. It’s so hard to tinker with the car nowadays stripes and so she’s like: ‘Come on I was here for you.’ So maybe because all the engines are sealed units, and that whole Sunday I won’t get the Bentley any more.” morning drive issue of guys or girls messing with their tool kit and having a chat around the bonnet doesn’t really happen any How many cars do you have? more. “Probably 15. But they come and go all the time. My mechanic Then there’s the whole classic car world that’s coming back; has just bought a Fastback Mustang which he’s very proud of. classic cars have never been bigger. There’s lots of different I used to have a Shelby Mustang. When I lived here [in the reasons for it, but one of the reasons may be that you can Oh, my goodness me, I have to get a family car. I don’t really work on them yourself. But if we find cars we don’t like, of course, want to bite that bullet.’ But then, of course, you get your first we’ll say that. And I say that family car and you realise how much fun it gives your family, my newspaper column. But and you start to fall in love with a whole different genre of cars in we’re taken on stories. So think about what we’re doing with Top Gear - the car is definitely the star, but from the car can be States], I had a ’64-1/2 Mustang, which was brilliant. Mine was an environmentalist story, it can be a funny story, it can be a black with a white interior and my wife’s car was a Land Rover pioneering expedition in Africa… we can go to Scandinavia and - white with a black interior - so when they were in the drive flip our way through the snow. Then there’s that whole thing they were like the negative of each other. about the chronology of cars because kids like to push bottles around because they move, then the bottle becomes a car, the How do you keep your cars looking great? car becomes a remote-control car, then it becomes your first“You keep them indoors a lot. You don’t drive them in the ever car and then your first girlfriend is in that first car. This is winter, because there’s salt on the roads for the ice and then the whole thing about Top Gear, this is why we’re so fascinated you just clean them or you get your son to do it and give them with cars, they are a sort of unofficial diary to our lives. some money!” They’re aspirational, they help as an escape from different places and to do different things. Then as With Top Gear, when you encounter a car that you don’t you get a family, you look at a car and you think: like, how much grief does the manufacturer give you ‘Oh, my goodness me, I have to get a family afterwards? car. I don’t really want to bite that bullet.’ “Well, if it’s Tesla, they threaten to sue you out of business and, But then, of course, you get your first family quite rightly so, with regards to what happened to those guys. car and you realise how much fun it gives We’re still breaking bread with Tesla now, and we’re trying to your family, and you start to fall in love with make a film with them about the future of electric cars, which is a whole different genre of cars. I didn’t get actually all about the future of battery packs. So whoever wins the sports estate - I never got why you would the battery race will win the electric car race and it seems Tesla want a fast one of those. Well, guess what, if your is doing pretty good at the moment. BMW are hot on their family requires more space, but you still want to have heels. It’s the car that everybody is talking about. So actually I vroom-vroom at the front… wanted to make three films here [in America] - the Dodge Viper

MARCH 2016

Then there are other cars - does the car give you fun or do you take the fun to the car, and does the car facilitate your fun? It’s not just cars, it’s vans, it’s anything that moves. Movement is key to our lives. It’s how we all got here today, it’s around us all the time. People who don’t even like cars at some point get interested in them - that’s how weird the car phenomenon is. Have you spoken to Jeremy, James and Richard? “Not all at once. James came on holiday with me to France for three days. When I went mad, I dug holes in a village called Haskin, two miles away from the Top Gear track and I lived there for ten years. I used to go and hang out at Top Gear when I was in the TV wilderness, because I love programmes like that. I’m a fan of TV and I used to go and hang out at the production room - it’s, like, Chris is here again! On the day that Jeremy and the BBC parted ways, I was leaving my Mum’s house, because my Mum lives two miles from the Top Gear track still, and I was passing the barrier, the red and white barrier, that leads to Dunsfold, when it was announced on Radio 5 that he left the BBC. So that was all very strange. Then James came on a holiday with me to France on our boat and I said: ‘Well, I think you and Richard should carry on, because I love the show as it is. Maybe bring somebody else on and see what happens with Jeremy, and maybe Jeremy can come back one day.’ And I thought that was what they were going to do, and so did they for a while, so did the BBC. That’s why we were all quite completely calm about the situation. I was asked about it all the time on my radio show and I said: ‘It’s fine, it’s going to be fine, Top Gear is fine. Stop the drama. But then, of course, they decided to go, and then that all changed. On the day that it was announced on Twitter at 7 o’clock on, I think it was a Tuesday, that I was taking over the show, the last three messages I texted were to James, Jeremy and Richard, and I texted them exactly the same message, and they all replied. James actually called me before 7 o’clock and we had a chat. Since then Jeremy and I have exchanged text messages, I’ve talked to Richard on the phone, and I’ve talked to James on the phone.” How many of the conventions from Top Gear – such as The Stig and the Star in a Reasonably Priced Car – will you be maintaining in the new show? “Well, it’s all about maintenance, isn’t it? You’ve hit the nail on the head. This show is hugely popular, it’s one of the biggest shows in the world, it’s one of the longest-lasting franchises in the world, because it’s not based on the person, it’s based on those words ‘Top Gear’. We will pass through it; different cars will pass through it. The reason it will last forever, Top Gear, it’s because its cast changes every week. Most casts on TV shows get older and die. That’s a great virtue of being a Simpson you don’t get any older every week. Well Top Gear is a bit like that, because cars

LAMBORGHINI HURACAN

get newer, they don’t get older. So we have a revolving door of a new cast coming in every week, giving us new stories, giving us new roots. So as far as maintenance is concerned, we have a huge audience. I want to see the next incarnation of Top Gear, I want to see the next programme. My wife wants to see the next Affair, but it’s not going to be made, apparently, for the next six months. We want the next show - that’s what I want. The thing about making Top Gear is it’s not a single, bespoke show - for me, it’s going to be three years of 54-ish bespoke shows. What do you like about the old show? “I like loads of things about the old show, if the old show had never been taken off, I would be watching the new series with James, Jeremy and Richard now. It was brilliant, there’s no denying that at all. So, we’re definitely going to keep The Stig. We’re definitely going to keep the stars - hopefully we’re going to have more stars, bigger, brighter stars. We want to work with Los Angeles a lot, because we know that Top Gear is also vicariously the biggest chat show in the world. Because if you want to promote your movie, you sit on the Top Gear sofa; we’re not going to ask you about your maid, who you had an affair with, we’re going to talk about cars, because that’s what we’ve got time for and that’s what we want to hear about. So it’s a low-risk interview, and 250 million people are going to watch it, and you’re going to have a good time. So we’ve got to engage with that compartment of the business more than we have done in the past. But again, it’s about the cars. What’s going to stay, you say? The cars are going to stay, because the cars are the stars.

MARCH

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Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty

NTR March listing (Places & Faces).qxp_Layout 1 17/02/2016 08:26 Page 1

Matthew Bourneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Sleeping Beauty

BACKTRACK

PUNK IS COMING! WATCH OUT! Pete Goodrum takes us back through the tracks that defined the decades. Looking at the main events and the big hits, and digging deeper into lesser-known but influential artists, he tells the story of the soundtrack to our lives

ITâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S ALWAYS a matter of personal taste, of course, and there will be some who have favourite tracks and fond musical memories of 1976. But there are an awful lot of people who see the year as the low point in the history of pop music in the UK. On its glossy surface, the music scene was a happy, smiley place. Abba were firmly established as a massively successful act, delivering Number One singles and their Greatest Hits album, the biggestselling album of the year.

MARCH 2016

In May 1975 Malcolm McLaren started a clothes shop in London with his friend Vivienne Westwood. They called it Sex and it sold the sort of clothes that would come to characterise Punk. Brimming with ideas and fresh back from the USA, where he’d been managing The New York Dolls, he soon broadened his interests into managing a new group here. The Sex Pistols rapidly established a following, soon they were gigging outside London, and wherever they went a hard core group of fans followed. Just over a year later, on July 4, 1976, The Ramones played London’s Roundhouse and to the Punks this was a pivotal and inspiring moment. Soon new bands were being formed, often by some of those dedicated Sex Pistols’ fans. The vocabulary had changed; these groups weren’t Beatles or Shadows or Searchers. They were The Clash, The Slits, The Vibrators – Rock and Roll had found its next rebellion. Nobody wants to be told that they’re doing what their parents did, but the Punks had some interesting similarities with their predecessors. For a start, the raw, stripped down, “do it yourself” with basic equipment attitude was more than reminiscent of the Skiffle craze that had flared up from London’s coffee bars of the 1950s. And then, at the end of 1976, came The Anarchy Tour. The Pistols, Johnny Thunders and The Heartbreakers and The Damned set out to play across the UK. Almost from the outset, gigs were cancelled by nervous venue managers who’d heard tales, fuelled by the media, of riotous behaviour on the part of the bands and their fans. Just like cinema and theatre managers had cancelled screenings and concerts in fear of the, similarly publicised, Teddy Boys’ antics 20 years earlier. Perhaps, as a song from another era has it, some things are “too hot not to cool down”. It wasn’t the end of the road, and there’s a legacy to prove it, but

THE BEE GEES

Disco pounded on to the dance floors and into the charts, and seemed set to stay around. Bright colours were everywhere, and so was love. Showaddywaddy were Under The Moon Of Love, Tina Charles declared I Love To Love, Queen had Somebody To Love. Paul McCartney, now leading Wings, was singing Silly Love Songs, Billy Ocean wanted us to know that Love Really Hurts Without You and Donna Summer told us she would Love To Love You Baby. It didn’t stop there. The Bay City Rollers pleaded Love Me Like I Love You, and king of cool, Bryan Ferry, charted with The Price Of Love. As this list of hits shows, despite the common theme of love, there was a wide spread of artists, in a mix of styles, populating the charts of 1976. But somehow it felt that there was nothing new. This wasn’t the explosion of Elvis in 1956. It wasn’t the breakthrough of The Beatles in 1963. Across all the genres, everything was smooth. There were no rough edges. Although it would be years before the dawn of digital technology, everything was beautifully produced – and that was part of the problem. Every action has a reaction, and the reaction to perfect pop, and increasingly self-indulgent rock, was bubbling under the surface. This isn’t the place to detail or debate the social, artistic and philosophical movements that were the catalysts for, and influences on, the cult we would know as Punk. We’ll take as a given the American “garage” bands and the posters – quoted in our headline – that appeared in New York to claim: “PUNK IS COMING! WATCH OUT!” In truth it’s difficult to pinpoint exactly where and when this rebellious movement first appeared. We can, however, be precise about two dates that are of major importance to the development of Punk in the UK and its march towards appearing in the very charts that it despised.

“Every action has a reaction, and the reaction to perfect pop, and increasingly self-indulgent rock, was bubbling under the surface”

BACKTRACK

THE CLASH

KATE BUSH

by the end of January 1977 EMI Records terminated their contract with The Sex Pistols after releasing just one single. In stark commercial contrast, a week later Fleetwood Mac, time-served and talented musicians, but bastions of the establishment that the Punks despised, released Rumours, which would go on to be one of the biggest-selling albums of all time. The year would see Pink Floyd gain some unwelcome notoriety when, in a July concert in Montreal, bass player Roger Waters would spit on a fan. Very punk for an “old school band”! 1977 would also be the year of the compilation album. Plundering back catalogues was easy, and it suited the marketing men who were using TV advertising to sell records like never before. Perhaps it also showed that there was a dearth of new material. Either way the “Greatest Hits” format had its field day in 1977 with albums of previous hits by The Shadows, Frank Sinatra, Johnny Mathis, Connie Francis, Elvis, The Supremes and Cliff Richard all making the charts. The rebellion had not died though. By May 1977 Virgin Records had signed The Sex Pistols. Their notoriety was heightened in June when they performed God Save The Queen (their version – not the national anthem!) from a boat to disrupt the Queen’s Silver Jubilee celebrations. There were scuffles and arrests. By October The Pistols had an album out. Never Mind The B******s It’s The Sex Pistols was their only studio album. Played now, it somehow seems more polished and less incendiary than it did in 1977. But it ignited opinion and remains a landmark. In another example of how the world of pop music can throw up sharp contrasts, Never Mind The B*******s was in the throes of its snarling production when, in September 1977, that glittery and effete talent Marc Bolan died. And, by the time the album thundered into the public consciousness with a violent sneer, in October, the Number One single of the week was Yes Sir I Can Boogie by Baccara. 1977 didn’t end with a Punk sneer. The Christmas Number One that year was Paul McCartney’s reinvention of the traditional Scottish ballad, Mull of Kintyre.

The big hit of early 1978 was a surprise, though. It wasn’t punk, or rock, or even commercial pop as we knew it. It was a reggae record, and nobody was more surprised at its success than the writers and performers. Up Town Top Ranking by Althia & Donna had been recorded in 1977. The two teenage girls had ad-libbed their vocals over Trinity’s Three Piece Suit track – it was supposed to be a joke. The song made it on to the radio when the legendary and hugely influential John Peel played it by accident and requests for it then flooded in. A Top of the Pops performance followed as the single climbed the charts. It made it to the top, making the 17- and 18-year-old Althia & Donna the youngest female duo to have a Number One in the UK hit parade. From there on, 1978 produced an odd mix of hits. February saw Figaro by the Brotherhood of Man and Take A Chance On Me from Abba. Kate Bush had charted in March with the admittedly original Wuthering Heights. As ever there was also a novelty hit – this time a tribute to the artist Lowry in Brian and Michael’s Matchstalk Men and Matchstalk Cats and Dogs. And then came Night Fever. The Bee Gees Saturday Night Fever album would become the biggest-selling album of all time, and hold that title for five years. In the mania for the film, people somehow forgot, or never knew, that it had come from a story called Another Saturday Night by Nik Cohn, the same man who’d been such an influence on Pete Townshend when he wrote Tommy. By the summer of ’78 the charts were dominated by tracks such as You’re the One That I Want by John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John, and Three Times a Lady by The Commodores. And suddenly, after Rod Stewart’s Da Ya Think I’m Sexy?, it was Christmas again, and the Number One song was Mary’s Boy Child/Oh My Lord by Boney M. Back in Punk land, The Sex Pistols were effectively over, having played their last gig that January. The Boomtown Rats and similar outfits had brought a Punk sensibility to the mainstream, but that initial revolution seemed to have cooled. It left a gap. Nature abhors a vacuum, and there were new movements and ideas ready to fill it – find out more next month!

MARCH 2016

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Travelling back in time Mark Nicholls visits the Swiss resort of Kandersteg and finds himself in another era Picture by PHIL WENGER

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;It has become a growing tradition in Kandersteg to dress in late Victorian and Edwardian costume to celebrate what is regarded as a golden age of fashionâ&#x20AC;?

MARCH 2016

TRAVEL

Photography PHIL WENGER and SARAH MICHEL

ressed in a flat cap, plus fours and a warm woolly jumper, Urs Niedhart cut an impressive figure as he powered towards us on cross country skis. Gliding rhythmically across the expanse of snow, he slowed with a cheery greeting and a welcoming smile. His skis were modern and sleek, yet his attire was from a different era, the beautiful era – the Belle Epoque. Over the last few years, it has become a growing tradition in Kandersteg to dress in late Victorian and Edwardian costume to celebrate what is regarded as a golden age of fashion. The resort hosts Belle Epoque week at the end of January and whether it is the local shopkeeper, hoteliers, or my cross country ski instructor, everyone in Kandersteg, it seems, has been bitten by the Belle Epoque bug – and splendid they look, too.

I opted for the warmth of traditional ski wear for my expert tuition from Urs, who, it transpired, was no ordinary cross country instructor, having represented his country in the 1992 Winter Olympics. Kandersteg, in the Bernese Oberland, has the third biggest cross country ski area in Switzerland and, after some guidance and tuition on a training course from Urs, we were soon heading off on a 3km loop out of the village. There are also 5km and 10km routes and you can see locals and visitors enjoying the sport throughout the day and into the evening along floodlit tracks. Kandersteg is very much a winter sport and activity resort which opens for a winter season which starts around December 20 and runs until late March. Activities range from ice climbing, hiking on foot or snow shoe routes and tobogganing with an exhilarating 5.5km run down the mountain from near the picturesque frozen lake at Oeschinensee.

GETTING THERE

Swiss International Air Lines offers up to 115 weekly flights to Zurich from London Heathrow, London City, Birmingham and Manchester. Mark Nicholls travelled to Kandersteg from Zurich airport via Bern. – For reservations call 0345 990 9161 or visit: www.swiss.com – Contact Switzerland Travel Centre on 00800 100 200 30 or visit: www. swisstravelsystem.co.uk

MARCH 2016

TRAVEL

Photography PHIL WENGER and SARAH MICHEL

There’s also curling, an open air ice rink near the railway station for ice hockey matches and other skating events and, while there is downhill skiing, it is very much a beginners’ and new intermediates’ resort in that respect with just a few kilometres of blue and red runs. Yet, for a few days every January, the dress code is very definitely Belle Epoque, when Kandersteg happily places itself in a self-imposed time warp and transports its citizens back to the beautiful era. It started seven years ago with an enthusiastic group, but within a couple of years had been embraced by much of the resort with most citizens, and many guests, dressing up in late Victorian and Edwardian dress for a few days. And who were we to object? Before long, we too were kitted out in costume – I found myself in a grey jacket and heavy, pinstriped trousers with a short tie and a cloth cap; something of a working-class 19th century gent, yet around me were upper class ladies in hats and bonnets, flowing dresses and silk scarves.

ACCOMMODATION

The three-star family-run Belle Epoque Hotel Victoria (www.hotel-victoria.ch/en).

TOUR OPERATOR

UK-based operator Inntravel offers a range of breaks across Europe. Visit www.inntravel.co.uk or call 01653 617005.

SWITZERLAND

For more information on Switzerland visit: www. myswitzerland.com or call the Switzerland Travel Centre on 00800 100 200 30.

And later, having headed up on to the slopes, I realised that this theme extended into the ski area, with parties towing ancient sledges in billowing coats for winter picnics on the mountains. We stayed at the historic, family-run, threestar Belle Epoque Hotel Victoria run by Casimir and Muriel Platzer. With an atmospheric Belle Epoque feel and façade, it has excellent pool and spa facilities, comfortable rooms and wonderful restaurants serving fine Swiss alpine cuisine, much of it sourced within the surrounding farming region. During Belle Epoque week the hotels fill up with guests dressed in character for balls, promenading and socialising. Visitors can hire their costumes but regulars, like the locals, have taken to designing and making their own attire. Casimir explained: “Some places have ski races and others have activity weeks, but what we are doing is turning the wheel back 100 years and we have been amazed with the response. “In the first year, people went into their attics and found old clothes, but now every hotel has activities and everyone is dressing up.” The food is exquisite at the Victoria and, having dined out on cheese fondue, rosti and raclette, one of the more interesting meals we enjoyed was at the hotel’s Ritter restaurant with a tartarenhut – which translates as “tartar’s hat” as that is what the cooking device looks like. The tartarenhut is a cone-shaped metal frame with hot coals beneath which is set on the table, with each guest given a plate of raw meat – chicken, bacon, beef and veal – to cook themselves. The meat is eaten with various pickles and garnishes such as tartare sauce (of course), sweet mustard, curry, garlic and thousand island sauce, and in the warm juices around the tartarenhut you can also cook tomatoes, mushrooms, and potatoes. Truly delicious. Kandersteg has reinvented itself in recent years by reaching back into its glamorous past. And if you like to dress up a little, and promenade in attire from a different era after your day in the snow, it offers the perfect opportunity. MARCH 2016

06.

05.

HEAD FOR THE SLOPESIN STYLE

04.

You don’t need to substitute style when it comes to your ski wear; choosing your outfits can be almost as much fun as your time on the slopes. Donna Titcombe has selected a range that will keep you warm, comfortable and dry

01.

Merino wool ski socks, from Laulax £15

04.

02.

Men’s Owen snowpants, from Cotswold Outdoor £80

03.

Burton Rampant snowboard boots 2016, from ATBShop.co.uk £159.95

Roundhouse short gloves, from Oakley £50

05.

Spyder Titan ski jacket, from Sail and Ski £399

06.

Airbrake™ snow goggles, from Oakley £230

01.

02.

FASHION

07. 10.

08.

Prices correct at the time of going to press. Items may be available from various retailers and prices may vary so please check online for a full list of local stockists

09.

11.

07.

10.

Smith white red Solx AF 2016, from ekosport.co.uk £108

Women’s Descendit jacket, from The North Face £220.00

Machu Picchu beanie, from O’Neill £19.99

Women’s La Molina pants 2.0, from Cotswold Outdoor £130

08. 09.

Women’s downhill ski gloves, from O’Neill £20

11.

12.

Women’s ski boot in pearl white, from White Stone £220

12. MARCH 2016

DEDICATED FOLLOWERS OF

FASHION Look forward to the new season with fashion inspiration direct from the catwalk. Norwich Fashion Week comprises seven days of fashion, hair and beauty Melanie Cook of VisitNorwich says itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time to let the creative juices flow

VISITNORWICH, www.visitnorwich.co.uk

MARCH 2016

Photography by ANDI SAPEY, WEX

PHOTOGRAPHIC, PAUL BAYFIELD, GEMMA LOCK

WHAT’S ON

A MUCH-ANTICIPATED annual event, Norwich Fashion Week (March 10 to 17, www.norwichfashion.co.uk) has become a spring highlight in Norfolk, for it is here we get together with like-minded fashionistas to uncover the coming season’s new looks and beauty secrets. At NFW we get ahead of the game in exciting, live environments. No flicking through magazines during March; it’s all about dressing up and getting out, skipping to the beat of wearable fashion and soaking up an atmosphere which celebrates men and women, hair and beauty, established brands and upcoming talent. This year Norwich Fashion Week’s core line-up will take place at OPEN, situated in the heart of Norwich. A fitting venue oozing style and contemporary design, it’s a charismatic, architectural building in itself and a great place to show off. The Retailers’ Show, sponsored by Mercedes-Benz of Norwich on Thursday, March 10 (£15) is the launch event. This show opens the week showcasing current and future fashion trends from thrilling local independents and established high-street retailers. It’s a lively evening packed with an audience of both men and women of all styles and ages. New for 2016 is the Dipple & Conway Hair Show taking place on Friday March 11 (£10). No look is complete without great hair and so it is here we’ll witness a wealth of hairdressing talent from across the city, with stylists, colour technicians and barbers all inspiring us to revamp our looks and spoil our tresses. And being a Friday night, it would be rude not to treat ourselves to a pre-show cocktail or two in a city bar and perhaps a bite to eat later. Sunday March 13 presents one of my favourite shows, The Vintage Show – a chance to immerse in fashion and hair from the 1930s to the 1980s. It’s a night to indulge your passion for the past and to delight in seeing much of the audience dressed to the nines in glamorous outfits that are a joy to behold. Over the week there will be six headline shows plus Fashion 360˚ and other pop-up fashion related events across Norwich. Purchase show tickets from OPEN on 01603 763111 or at: www.opennorwich.org.uk

Fashion is about voyeurism; closely watching what’s trending, what’s on the catwalk that will eventually morph into high street collections and what celebrities and icons are wearing. It’s about individuality, personality and influences. Norwich Fashion Week gives us the opportunity to see firsthand the colours and designs we will be coveting this year, along with ideas on where we should spend our money and how creatively we can experiment. One of the week’s highlights is the event at the Norwich University of Arts. The University hosts Fashion 360˚ – a selection of talks, discussions and displays of work to celebrate connectivity, pattern and form. Student work is exhibited to complement the ideas and practice of invited designers, makers and creatives to reveal the global processes, skills and technologies usually hidden from view. The exhibition kicks off with a special evening on Wednesday March 16 at NUA Duke Street, when the University welcomes renowned fashion and accessory designer Orla Kiely who will talk about her well-established brand and iconic print designs. This hot ticket event will surely be a sell-out. Inspired by the 1960s and 70s, Orla’s patterns are recognised the world over for their distinctive colour palette and joyful representation of floral forms. Many a household with an eye for style will boast an Orla Kiely lifestyle creation or garment, but surely most desirable are her gorgeous handbags; lusted-after fashion staples without a doubt. This is a not-to-be-missed event with one of the industry’s best-known names in fashion and I, for one will be elbowing my way to the front row – in as polite a way as possible, of course! Tickets cost £10 which includes exhibition entrance, a glass of wine and the talk by the pattern queen herself, and are available direct from the NUA at: www.nua.ac.uk/visit/. MARCH 2016

02. Girls on Film white and black crochet insert dress, from Debenhams £40

01.

Polo Ralph Lauren long sleeve stripe maxi dress, various stockists £130

02.

Hattie Sweater, from Hobbs at House of Fraser £79

03.

04.

03.

The majority of designers showcased some kind of stripe in this season’s new collections. Here are just a few ideas selected by Donna Titcombe

05.

Double band liquid hinge bracelet, from Alexis Bittar see online for stockists £120

04.

Stripe jersey skirt, white and black, from Karen Millen £99

05.

Fauna monochrome print courts, from L.K Bennett £210

LADIES FASHION

06. 07. 08.

09.

10.

06.

Hugo womens Amonas blazer, various stockists £330

07.

Esprit sunglasses 19428, from Jarrold £25

08.

Poster stripe sweater dress, from DVF see online for stockists £306

09.

Striped straw shopper, from Marni see online for stockists £440

11.

Paul by Paul Smith, slim fit striped trousers, various stockists £229

12.

Kate Spade wallace flats, from Katespade.com £135

11.

Prices correct at the time of going to press. Items may be available from various retailers and prices may vary so please check online for a full list of local stockists

10.

Maiocci collection colour block bodycon dress, from House of Fraser £116

12. 43

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LUXURY GIFTS FOR THE LADIES

01.

LITTLE LUXURY A

EVERY LADY LOVES A GIFT THEY WOULDN’T BUY FOR THEMSELVES

Spoil your lady, mum or your best friend with something extra special from our collection of luxury gifts selected for you by Donna Titcombe

01.

Vintage rose, from Flying Flowers £21.99

02.

L.K. Bennett Catrina Saffiano leather tote, from House of Fraser £295

04.

03.

Swarovski Astrid gold-plated crystal flower pendant £59

04.

Maison Francis Kurkdjian à la rose 70ml eau de parfum, from John Lewis £145

02.

05.

03.

Ianthe silk scarf, from Liberty London £145

06.

Prices correct at the time of going to press. Items may be available from various retailers and prices may vary so please check online for a full list of local stockists

Pink Marc de Champagne truffles, from Lakeland £9.95

05. 06.

MARCH 2016

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MEN’S FASHION

01. 02. 04.

03.

THE

Prices correct at the time of going to press. Items may be available from various retailers and prices may vary so please check online for a full list of local stockists

05.

LUXURYOF LEATHER LEATHER – A TIMELESS CLASSIC

This superb range of luxurious leather goods selected by Donna Titcombe would make wonderful gift ideas throughout the year

01.

Hugo Boss slim fit leather bomber jacket £480

02.

06.

04.

Mulberry Scotchgrain simple clipper holdall, John Lewis £550

05.

Men’s leather driving gloves - black and tan, from Tom Dick and Harry £45

Mayfair leather backgammon set, from Hackett £460

Dolce and Gabbana logo plaque leather belt £285

The Lapo luxury leather key holder, Maxwell Scott bags £39

03.

06.

07.

Dulwich Designs heritage 10-section watch box, brown, from John Lewis £135

08.

Aspinal of London double hip flask, from House of Fraser £79

09.

Loake City , leather shoes, from Jarrold £115

09. 07.

08.

MARCH 2016

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MARY BERRYâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S

COOKERY

FOOLPROOF COOKING The popular home cook has been back on TV again lately with her new series and will be in Norwich this month to sign copies of the accompanying cookbook

MARCH 2016

MARY BERRY’S

FOOLPROOF COOKING

She’s the current queen of the kitchen and a familiar face to us all, thanks to her many TV appearances on the Great British Bake Off and a host of other cookery programmes. And since the end of January, Mary Berry has been on the small screen again, this time showing us all how to cook without a fuss – quickly and simply with great results – in her six-part, BBC2 Foolproof Cooking series. Commenting on the accompanying cookbook, Mary Berry’s Foolproof Cooking (published by BBC Books, £25 hardback), she said: “I’m all for taking the stress out of cooking, and the recipes in this book do just that. They are designed to be foolproof – dishes you can depend on completely, with no worry or panic, making cooking much more relaxing and pleasurable.” The new book features 120 delicious new recipes, including all those from the recent TV series, each accompanied by clear instructions, beautiful photographs and Mary’s foolproof tips for getting the best results every time. Her straightforward, quick and simple dishes, all of which have been tried and tested many times, are aimed at helping the novice or nervous cook to try something new. Mary Berry was a recent guest on Saturday Kitchen and will re-unite with her fellow judge Paul Hollywood and co-hosts Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins for the seventh series of the Great British Bake Off this summer. She will also celebrate her 81st birthday later this month. Meanwhile, Mary’s no-fuss advice and tips are helping

delighted to welcome the wonderful Mary Berry to the book department where she will sign copies of her new book Foolproof Cooking. Tickets are £20 and include a copy of the book, Foolproof Cooking (rrp £25) to be personally signed by Mary Berry at the event. To avoid disappointment, we must stress that there will be no opportunity to view Mary Berry to non-ticket holders.” Tickets are available from Customer Services on the second floor (call: 01603 660661) or online at: www.jarrold.co.uk and, unsurprisingly, given the millions of people who I’m all for taking the stress out of cooking, and the recipes in this book do just tuned into the Great British that. They are designed to be foolproof – dishes you can depend on completely, Bake Off last year, the book signing is already proving with no worry or panic, making cooking much more relaxing and pleasurable. very popular. Of course, it’d be great readers foolproof their kitchens – whether that’s preparing to have a signed copy of the new cookbook (they would also ahead to entertain a crowd with a Salmon and Herb Coulibiac, make great presents for foodie friends and family), but in the planning weekly family meals such as Chicken and Bacon meantime, Mary Berry has very kindly allowed Places & Faces‰ Lattice Pie, or simply ensuring their store cupboards are well to reproduce three of the recipes from her new collection, so stocked and that they make the most of their freezers. that we can all have a go at these at home. The new cookery book includes recipes for mouth-watering So read on to find out how to make Cheese and Garlic Tearweeknight suppers, irresistible sharing platters and nibbles, And-Share Scones, Roast Rack of Pork with Sage and Lemon dinner party suggestions and, of course, plenty of tempting tray Rub, and Cardamon Sponge and White Chocolate Icing, and bakes and biscuits for those with a sweet tooth. With appetisers keep an eye out on social media - @PlacesandFaces - for more such as Cheese and Garlic Tear-and-Share Scones (featured news about Mary Berry in Norwich soon! overleaf ), to desserts such as Real Honeycomb Ice Cream and Apple and Blackberry Cobbler, meals with family and friends should be perfect from start to finish. Mary Berry has been teaching the nation to cook for over Mary Berry is no stranger to East Anglia, having been a guest four decades. She is one of our favourite bakers and a at Mary Kemp’s cookery school in South Norfolk some years much-loved judge on the BBC’s The Great British Bake Off ago when she was perhaps best known for her love of and and is the author of over 70 books including Mary Berry proficiency at Aga cooking. at Home, Mary Berry Cooks and Mary Berry’s Absolute And she was in Norwich in 2014 to film some excerpts Favourites. Mary has a teaching qualification and is Cordon for the BBC One show Who Do You Think You Are? when Bleu trained. She is an experienced magazine cookery she discovered that her great-great grandfather on her editor, as well as a seasoned television presenter. In 2009 grandmother’s side, Robert Houghton, was a baker in Ber she was awarded the highly-coveted Guild of Food Writers’ Street. Lifetime Achievement Award and in 2012 she was made This month Mary Berry will be back in the city, this time a CBE for her services to culinary arts. Most recently, she for a book signing at Jarrold’s on London Street at 12.30pm was given the Observer Food Monthly’s 2015 Lifetime on Friday, March 4. Jarrold’s publicity material states: “We’re Achievement award. Mary lives in Buckinghamshire with her husband, Paul, and their dog, Millie, and continues to inspire thousands of people across the country to enjoy home cooking.

MARCH 2016

COOKERY

SPONGE 8 CARDAMOM WITH WHITE CHOCOLATE ICING PREPARE AHEAD The cake can be made and iced up to a day ahead Freezes well without the icing INGREDIENTS 225g (8oz) butter, softened, plus extra for greasing 4 eggs, beaten 225g (8oz) caster sugar 225g (8oz) self-raising flour 1 tsp baking powder 12 cardamom pods 50g (2oz) good quality white chocolate, to decorate FOR THE ICING 100g (4oz) good quality white chocolate (see tip) 50g (2oz) butter, softened (see tip) 75g (3oz) full-fat cream cheese 200g (7oz) icing sugar, sifted ½ tsp vanilla extract

METHOD 1 You will need two 20cm (8in) round sandwich cake tins. Pre-heat the oven to 180°C/160°C fan/Gas 4, then grease the tins with butter and line the bases with baking paper. 2 Place the butter and eggs in a large mixing bowl with the sugar, flour and baking powder and beat together, by hand or using an electric hand whisk, until combined. 3 Bash the cardamom pods with a rolling pin on a chopping board to release the seeds. Grind the seeds until fine using a pestle and mortar then stir this into the cake batter. Pour the batter into the prepared tins and smooth the tops. 4 Bake in the oven for about 25 minutes until golden brown and springy to the touch. Allow to cool in the tins for five minutes and then turn out and leave to cool on a wire rack. 5 Make the icing. Place the white chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of gently simmering water. Stir until melted and smooth, taking great care not to let the chocolate get too hot (see tip). Set aside to cool and thicken a little. 6 Whisk the butter and cream cheese together until fluffy and soft. Whisk in half the icing sugar, then add the vanilla extract and remaining icing sugar and whisk again. Stir in the melted white chocolate to combine and then transfer to the fridge to chill for about 20 minutes until thickened enough to spread on the cake (see tip). 7 Divide the icing between the two cakes, spreading half on one, sandwiching with the second cake and using the rest of the icing to cover the top. Use a sharp knife to cut or shave the remaining white chocolate into angular shards and then arrange these over the top of the cake to make an impressive decoration. Cut into wedges to serve. MARY’S FOOLPROOF TIPS: Make sure the butter for the icing is softened or it will not blend smoothly with the cream cheese, and will leave lumps. Don’t overheat the white chocolate or the icing will not set. If the icing has firmed up too much in the fridge, let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes until soft enough to spread.

MARCH 2016

AND GARLIC 10 CHEESE TEAR-AND-SHARE SCONES PREPARE AHEAD Can be made up to a day ahead Freezes well when cooked INGREDIENTS 450g (1lb) self-raising flour, plus extra for dusting 2 tsp baking powder 2 tsp mustard powder 1 tsp salt 100g (4oz) butter, cubed 50g (2oz) Parmesan cheese, finely grated, plus extra for sprinkling 100g (4oz) mature Cheddar cheese, grated 1 garlic clove, crushed 6 tbsp finely snipped chives 2 eggs About 150ml (5fl oz) milk

MARCH 2016

METHOD 1 Pre-heat the oven to 220°C/200°C fan/Gas 7 and line a baking sheet with baking paper. 2 Measure the flour and baking powder into a large bowl with the mustard, salt and butter. Using your fingertips, rub in the butter until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Add both cheeses with the garlic and chives. 3 Beat the eggs in a jug, adding enough milk to make up to 300ml (10fl oz) of liquid. Gradually add this to the mixture in the bowl and mix together to make a dough (see tip). Tip on to a lightly-floured work surface and knead until smooth, then divide into 22 equal-sized balls. 4 Arrange the balls of dough on the prepared baking sheet to form a round with all the balls just touching. Brush with any leftover liquid in the jug and sprinkle with the extra Parmesan. 5 Bake in the oven for 25 minutes until well risen and golden on top and underneath. Serve warm with butter. MARY’S FOOLPROOF TIPS: A scone dough should be fairly sticky rather than dry. If it is on the wet side, it gives a better rise and the resulting scones are very moist.

COOKERY

RACK OF PORK 6 ROAST WITH SAGE AND LEMON RUB METHOD 1 Preheat the oven to 220°C/200°C fan/Gas 7. 2 Put the onion slices into a small roasting tin, sit the pork joint on top of the onions and rub 1½ to 2 tablespoons of coarse salt into the scored skin. 3 Place the sage in a bowl with the lemon zest and ½ tablespoon of coarse salt. Mix together and, using your fingers, rub the mixture into the skin of the joint. 4 Roast in the oven for 30 minutes until golden and starting to crisp. Reduce the oven temperature to 200°C/180°C fan/Gas 6 and continue to roast for 1 hour and 25 minutes to 1 hour and 35 minutes or until the pork is cooked through, the juices are running clear, and the crackling is crisp and golden (see tip). Carefully remove the pork joint from the tin and set aside to rest for about 10 minutes, covered with foil. 5 While the meat is resting, make the gravy. Add 450ml (15fl oz) of water to the roasting tin and bring to the boil on the hob, scraping the base of the tin with a wooden spoon to incorporate the caramelised juices into the liquid to create a stock. Remove from the heat and strain into a jug. 6 Melt the butter in a saucepan, add the flour and whisk to form a roux. Cook for 30 seconds, then blend in the homemade stock over a high heat, whisking all the time and boiling until thickened. Season to taste with salt and pepper, the lemon juice, redcurrant jelly and a dash of Worcestershire sauce. 7 Carve the pork and crackling and serve with the gravy. MARY’S FOOLPROOF TIPS: A hot oven and salt give the best crackling. If yours is not quite crisp enough, slice off the crackling with a knife, lay it on a baking sheet and return to the hot oven to crisp up. PREPARE AHEAD Prepare ahead (the pork can be cooked up to two days ahead if serving cold) INGREDIENTS 2 onions, thickly sliced (about 1cm/½in thick) 1.7kg (3¾lb) fore rib of pork loin, skin scored 4 tbsp finely chopped sage leaves Finely grated zest of 1 lemon Coarse sea salt FOR THE GRAVY: 25g (1oz) butter 25g (1oz) plain flour 1 tsp lemon juice 1 tsp redcurrant jelly A dash of Worcestershire sauce Salt and freshly ground black pepper

MARCH 2016

AWALK ON THE

WILD SIDE

Benedictsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; chef patron Richard Bainbridge advises getting out in the fresh air to hand-pick the main ingredient for this dish

MARCH 2016

FOOD & DRINK

Richard Bainbridge

is the chef proprietor of Benedicts Restaurant in Norwich www.restaurantbenedicts.com info@restaurantbenedicts.com or call 01603 926080

RECIPE MARCH IS THE MOST AMAZING TIME of the year for a chef. At the sight of new shoots starting to pop their heads out of the crisp, cold earth, chefs across the land breathe a sigh of relief that there is, at last, something other than parsnips, beetroot or Jerusalem artichokes to cook with.

WILD GARLIC SOUP WITH A POACHED

Wild garlic is a real treat for anyone who goes for a walk to blow away the winter blues. Wrap up warm and put your wellies on! This is a chance to get your family out and about and to open their eyes to what is all around us and, even better, what’s free (if you can find some, that is). Katja and I have been showing our two-year-old daughter what the woods have to offer and she loves walking along and picking wild garlic for her tea. We are also trying to show her the importance of the seasons so that one day she can look after Benedicts for us! This recipe for wild garlic soup reminds me of being in Germany with my father-in-law. When we are there, he always takes us on little adventures into the mountains, and we walk for hours up and down them and through the forests. Those trips make me feel as if I am 12 years old again, when I used to spend hours biking around, exploring the fine county of Norfolk. But when we are in the mountains (and for a boy from Norfolk who thinks Mousehold Heath is the biggest mountain there is), it makes me feel that I am in a different world. But my father-in-law is great because he shows us what is around us, simply by opening our eyes and seeing the best of what nature has to offer - plus we always end up in a wooden cabin somewhere with a large bowl of garlic soup in front of us, along with a crisp, cool beer - epic! So I urge you to go out this March and have adventures of your own in the woods, fields and beautiful countryside in search of wild garlic ready for your own bowl of soup in front of a roaring fire. The only thing is that you will need to add your own cool beer – oh, and possibly an aerobic step and some artificial scenery to recreate the mountains!

SERVES FOUR

HEN’S EGG & RAPESEED OIL

Create this delicious, warming dish yourselves – perfect after a bracing walk.

WILD GARLIC SOUP INGREDIENTS ·2 00g Wild garlic (roughly chopped and well washed) ·5 0g Spinach (roughly chopped and well washed) · 80g Iced water · 400g Chicken stock · 10g Garlic oil · Pinch curry powder ·S alt and pepper to taste TO SERVE ·S plash of malt vinegar ·A n egg for each person ·S plash of good quality rapeseed or olive oil ·W hite pepper ·S lices of sour dough bread and hand-churned butter METHOD Place a large pan of water on to a high heat and bring it to the boil. Add a pinch of salt to the water and then add the spring greens and spinach, cooking them until they’re almost a mush. Remove the spring greens and spinach from the pan and cover them with the iced water. Transfer the greens, spinach and iced water into a blender and blitz until smooth. Next add the chicken stock, garlic oil and the curry powder and stir well.

Season to taste and then place the liquid to one side (this will keep for up to three days). When ready to serve, place the liquid on a low heat – do not boil as you will lose the fresh colour. Once the liquid is warm, check the seasoning again. Meanwhile, place a small pan on a high heat with a good splash of vinegar. Bring to the boil. Once boiling, turn down the heat to allow the water to bubble gently. Stir the water clockwise with a spoon. Crack your eggs and slowly add these to the middle of the pan. Cook for about three to four minutes until your eggs are just cooked. Remove from the water and allow them to cool a little. To serve, fill your bowls with the soup, add a warm egg to the middle of each and top with a good twist of white pepper. Spoon a little good quality rapeseed oil or olive oil over each bowl and serve with some slices of warm sour dough and some hand-churned butter. MARCH 2016

SECRETS SUCCESS

OF THEIR

The Earlham Arms in Norwich is popular for many reasons, from its friendly, welcoming service to its fabulous food…

ITH SO MANY PUBS IN THE FINE CITY OF NORWICH, it’s important for those wanting to do well to

have a USP – a Unique Selling Point – that makes them stand out from the crowd. The Earlham Arms, in the heart of the city’s fashionable Golden Triangle area, has numerous USPs, but perhaps the most obvious is its friendly, welcoming service. Katie and Matthew Pamlin, who have owned the pub for the past three years, pride themselves on hiring personable, approachable staff and it is their friendly manner which makes all the difference. Katie said: “Our staff are picked on personality – they try to offer a professional service. Alysha Howes, our general manager, is working hard to ensure that the Front of House team is always welcoming and friendly.” Consequently, the pub is popular with customers of all ages – from groups of girlfriends and young couples to students and families – with its many sunlit, cosy corners ideal for everything from a cup of coffee and a home-made cupcake to a full-blown, three-course meal. Charlotte Wakelin, one of the pub’s supervisors, has built up quite a following for her cupcakes, which are displayed daily on the cake stands on the bar. She also bakes cakes for people’s birthdays and celebrations – ideal for those who are hiring The Blue Room, Earlham Arms’ elegant private dining area, which can accommodate up to 40 guests. The cupcakes are decadent, different and delicious (Espresso Martini or Custard Cream Cupcakes anyone?) and already have a firm fan base. The Earlham Arms has another dedicated fan – The Roast Inspector – who recently reviewed the Sunday lunch there for his popular blog and who raved about his meal (see: www.roastinspector. blogspot.co.uk). He’s been in to the pub before, too, under the guise of The Fry Up Inspector (www.fryupsgoodornot.blogspot.co.uk) when he tried out

MARCH 2016

The Earlham Arms 41 Earlham Road, Norwich, Norfolk, NR2 3AD Tel: 01603 622993. Email: bar@earlhamarms.co.uk www.theearlhamarms.co.uk

ADVERTORIAL

the tasty Sunday breakfast menu, which is served from 9am to 11.30am and which features everything from porridge, French toast and eggs on toast to a full English or vegetarian breakfast. So that’s three Unique Selling Points already – friendly staff, cakes made to order and delicious food – but The Earlham Arms has a great deal more on the menu. There’s the Wednesday running club – led by Matthew – which meets up each week for an evening run followed by a filling pasta dish and unlimited squash, all for just a fiver. Matthew’s keen to stress that both beginners and seasoned runners are welcome, and he adapts his chosen route accordingly. The pub’s lovely, sunny garden is also a huge draw – particularly as the days begin to get longer – and Katie and Matthew have some acoustic alfresco music events planned for the warmer months. A number of other activities are in the pipeline, too, with future events focusing on wine, ale and food. It’s also worth noting that this is a dog-friendly pub (with one customer even buying his dog steak every time he comes in!) and, as Katie and Matthew are devoted dog-owners - to Rocky and Marley - they’re quite at home when it comes to having hounds around. The list of Unique Selling Points continues with sweet and savoury tapas – ideal for sharing or for those who simply want something light – and some tempting home-made bar snacks such as pork scratchings, cheese straws and marinated olives.

“They’re all really popular, we struggle to make enough of those,” commented Katie. And for those looking for a glamorous night out, there’s at least a dozen classy cocktails; like the main menu itself, this will change in time for spring, so that it features the very best seasonal ingredients, but regulars will be reassured to learn that the most popular concoctions, such as Prosecco Royale, Long Island Iced Tea and Gin Fizz, will definitely stay on. Gin is most definitely in vogue at the moment and there are 15 gins on offer here (popular with male and female customers alike), while the temperature-controlled Tap Room, located behind the bar, ensures that the beer is kept at exactly the right level whatever the weather. What’s more, The Earlham Arms has recently been nominated for inclusion in next year’s CAMRA Good Beer Guide, which is testament to the wide selection on offer. With Mother’s Day (Sunday, March 6) and Easter Sunday (March 27) coming up, it’s important for customers to book ahead if they want a table, as places are snapped up quickly. Katie and Matthew, who also own the lovely White Hart in Hingham (which they’re currently converting into a boutique hotel) explain that The Earlham Arms always gets very busy at peak times such as these. So try to reserve your tables in advance if you want to eat there. And, if you’re planning something special, why not pop in in person to have a chat with Katie, Matthew or their team – after all, at The Earlham Arms, you can be sure of a warm welcome.

MARCH 2016

PAN-FRIED SALMON 4 with Smoked Bacon and Creamy Horseradish Broth

MARCH 2016

INGREDIENTS 4 salmon fillet portions, around 225g each (skin on) 2 carrots 200g frozen garden peas

200g lardons of smoked bacon 1 Little Gem lettuce 4 tbsps horseradish relish 1/2 pint double cream

175g butter, cut into cubes 20 floz chicken stock Salt and pepper 50g sugar 2 tbsps vegetable oil

Photography by BARKERS PHOTOGRAPHIC, GORLESTON www.barkersphotos.co.uk

IMPERIAL HOTEL

SIMON WAINWRIGHT, executive head chef of the Imperial Hotel in Great Yarmouth, shows us how to make this attractive, tasty dish METHOD

Peel and chop the carrots into batons and place them in a small saucepan. Add 50g butter, 50g sugar and enough water to cover them and then boil until tender. Add the peas and then strain and reserve the vegetables. Fry the lardons of smoked bacon in a tablespoon of oil and then set this aside after straining the oil off through a sieve. Mix the double cream with the horseradish until it thickens slightly, shred the lettuce thinly and then have all the above in bowls ready to go before moving on to the next step. Place the chicken stock into a small saucepan and put this on a high heat and reduce by half. Meanwhile, season the salmon on the flesh side only and heat a frying pan up. Place a tablespoon of vegetable oil in the frying pan and then carefully place the salmon into the pan, skin-side down, reducing the heat down to its lowest setting. Cook the salmon until crispy and until the heat has penetrated halfway up the fish, turning it a pale white colour (about six to eight minutes). Turn the salmon over and place this in a preheated oven for another three minutes. Once cooked, rest the salmon for two minutes. While the fish is in the oven, add the butter to your reduced chicken stock until incorporated.

TO FINISH

Place your carrots, peas, bacon and lettuce into the chicken stock and butter. Bring to the boil and stir in the horseradish cream. Divide the mixture equally between four bowls and make sure everyone gets a little garnish. Place the salmon on top of the broth, crispy skin-side up and enjoy!

WINE NOTES

2013 Crazy By Nature, Cosmo White, Gisborne, New Zealand NICK MOBBS,

director and wine expert at the Imperial Hotel, says:

WHEN YOU MENTION WHITE WINE and

New Zealand in the same sentence, I would imagine that the grape type that comes to mind is the Sauvignon Blanc. As much as I love the varietal style of Sauvignon from New Zealand, one of my golfing friends and a top man of the law always tells me it smells of cat’s wee, which I think is a little harsh. However, it is good to remind yourself that there are some great wines in New Zealand from both islands that are produced from something other than Sauvignon. James and Annie Millton established Millton Vineyards & Winery in 1984. Their four individual vineyards are on the North Island’s East Coast, in Gisborne. A small family artisan wine-grower, Millton was the first producer in New Zealand to gain certification for organic wine production, in 1989. Having practised traditional methods of cultivation, production then moved to biodynamic principles (I would love to write about biodynamics but unfortunately space does not permit). Then in 2013, James and Annie were named New Winegrower Personalities of the Year. Millton’s “village” wine label Crazy By Nature celebrates the fun side of going against conventional production and offers a Chardonnay, blended with 10 per cent Viognier to give texture and aromatics, and four per cent Marsanne to give weight and structure. This is a wonderful, cool climate wine, the wine-making process is all in stainless containers and the wine has excellent chardonnay fruits, a fresh acidity and great length of flavour. Salmon is an oily fish by nature, coupled with the broth, and the Cosmo White has the structure to complement the dish and refresh the palate.

• A team of brilliant chefs • Superb wine list • Laid-back atmosphere The perfect restaurant for dinner or Sunday lunch. At the Imperial Hotel, North Drive, Gt Yarmouth, NR30 1EQ. To book call 01493 842000

www.cafecru.co.uk

Sunday 12.30 - 2pm Monday - Saturday 6.30 - 10pm The Terrace is open daily. For opening times & menu go to imperialhotel.co.uk

RECIPE

WE’RE ALL OFF TO Let our French chef Franck Pontais cook for your private dinner. Plus, for those who really enjoy cooking, he also offers masterclasses for all abilities in your own home. More information is available at www.franckpontais.com

SUNNY SPAIN!

SPANISH CASSEROLE

With chorizo, peas and saffron potato mash, topped with a chorizo crust and baked in the oven INGREDIENTS

Makes two medium-sized portions or one “man-eater” sized dish

Photography by ANDREW FLORIDES, www.andrewflorides.co.uk

For the Saffron Mash 500g potato purée · 1g saffron strands · 50g double cream 40g butter · Salt and pepper For the Spanish Casserole 120g saffron mash (as above) · 50g cooked peas 50g cooked onions · 50g cooked chorizo plus 10g for the garnish Handful fresh parsley · 25g chorizo crust Few leaves mixed salad · Few carrot chips · Salt and pepper

METHOD

1. With a spoon or a piping bag, spread 60g of mash on the bottom of the dish. 2. In a hot pan, sear the diced chorizo then add the cooked peas and the diced onions. 3. Add the chopped parsley at the end and then pour the mix on top of the mash in the casserole dish.4. Spread the other half of the mash on top and place a disc of chorizo crust and a little piped “duchesse” potato on top. 5. Bake in a hot oven for 12 minutes, then garnish with two slices of fried chorizo, a few salad leaves, a few cooked peas and some carrot chips. Serve.

MARCH 2016

Relaxed fine dining with brand new menus created by Chef Patron Daniel Smith, located close to central Norwich in the South Norfolk village of Stoke Holy Cross. RESTAURANT

01508 492497 WWW.THEWILDEBEEST.CO.UK Norwich Rd, 82-86 Stoke Holy Cross, Norwich, Norfolk, NR14 8QJ

COCKTAIL OF THE MONTH

INGREDIENTS Half fill a cocktail shaker with cubed ice and add: • 1 measure* Frangelico hazelnut liqueur • 1 measure* Bols Cacao white • Approx 175ml single cream Shake together Drizzle chocolate sauce around the inside of a tall glass

A LUXURY COCKTAIL THAT’S EASY TO MAKE BUT IS SURE TO GIVE YOU THE WOW FACTOR!

Pour the contents (apart from the ice) into the glass Finish with squirty cream Sprinkle with chocolate powder to decorate or place a Ferrero Rocher in the middle of the cream, if you prefer. *1 measure = 25ml Mixed by Nic Acland manager and resident mixologist at the Porterhouse Bar & Grill in Gorleston.

In association with

The Porterhouse Bar & Grill, Gorleston

www.porterhouse.restaurant MARCH 2016

You�do�the� business We�ll�do� the�lunch

Trio’s is a Norfolk based company covering Norfolk and Suffolk. We offer a professional and tailor made service to suit your event and budget. We can help with venue arrangements, menu plans and provide stafﬁng on the day, saving you valuable planning time. We pride ourselves on our professionalism and expertise always using the best local, fresh ingredients. From Corporate lunches to smart Canapés or Picnic boxes to go. A wide range of hot food options and local and international cheese boards suitable for any function. We also cater for vegetarian, vegan, gluten and dairy free requirements. For a professional and ﬂexible service for any event contact Natalie at Trio’s Catering.

Whether breakfast, lunch, fork buffet,artisan or executive, we have the perfect choice for your function with handmade foods and prices to suit your budget

Funnells is an innovative catering company producing high quality finger and fork buffets for business events and individual parties. We provide great menus combined with a professional service designed to add value and a touch of creativity to your event. With a superb range of top quality buffet items from just £7.50 per head our years of experience in the catering trade will ensure your conference buffet is a great success. For a sample menu and to see the choices and options we offer please visit our website or give us a call today

MAKE�A� BOOKING

Tel: 01508 522039 Email: tasty@trioscatering.co.uk

A Professional Catering Service

www.trioscatering.co.uk Trio’s Catering, Hall Green Farm, Norton Road, Loddon, Norfolk NR14 6DT

Call Nick on 01502 573457 to make your booking Email nick@funnells.com or visit www.funnells.com

Table D’Hote Menu 3 courses £17.00 | 2 courses £14.50

· Accommodation · Weddings · Parties · · Evening Meals · Sunday Luncheons · Bar Snacks ·

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The Beach Café, Lower Esplanade, Gorleston-on-Sea, Norfolk Jay Jay's at The Beach Cafe t 01493 657001 @JayJaysTheBeach

www.burlington-hotel.co.uk For Accommodation, Functions, Weddings, Parties,

COMPETITION

A LUXURIOUS STAY FOR TWO AT PARK FARM HOTEL & LEISURE PARK FARM IN HETHERSETT IS THE PERFECT PLACE for a luxurious overnight stay or mini-break. This attractive four-star hotel has a wealth of fabulous facilities, including an AA Rosette restaurant, contemporary coffee lounge and a welcoming bar. There are 53 luxurious en-suite bedrooms, ample free parking and free WiFi. Hotel guests also have full use of the spacious spa area with its 16m swimming pool, sauna, steam room, spa pool and fully-equipped gym. Plus they can also book appointments with the in-house hairdressers and beauty therapists, and relax in the beautifully landscaped gardens. Set in 200 acres of unspoilt Norfolk countryside, Park Farm hosts all sorts of business and leisure events, from conferences and seminars to wonderful weddings. Independently owned by the Gowing family for generations, this lovely hotel is located between the charming market town of Wymondham and the historic city of Norwich and makes the ideal place for a get-away.

Places & FacesÂŽ has teamed up with Park Farm & Leisure to offer one lucky reader a fabulous two-night stay for two. This great prize includes accommodation in a deluxe room, breakfast on both mornings, a delicious sparkling afternoon tea on the day of arrival, and a sumptuous three-course dinner in the restaurant on both evenings. Entering the competition is easy. Simply follow @ParkFarmHotel and @PlacesandFaces on Twitter quoting the answer to the question below and #placesandfacescomp and weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll draw a winner at the end of March 2016. Alternatively, send your answer and contact details to: competitions@ placesandfaces.co.uk or to: Places & Faces, H2Creative Media Ltd, Humberstone House, 47 Englands Lane, Gorleston, Norfolk, NR31 6BE. Good luck! QUESTION: How many bedrooms are there at Park Farm? For more information on Park Farm, please call 01603 810264, email: enq@parkfarm-hotel.co.uk or visit: www.parkfarm-hotel.co.uk. Terms & Conditions: This prize comprises a two-night luxury stay for two people at Park Farm on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis, along with sparkling afternoon tea for two on arrival. The prize must be taken by the end of March 2017 and is subject to availability. Exclusion dates may also apply. Entrants must be over 18 and there is no cash alternative. MARCH 2016

training

Now in Kingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Lynn IT Courses Business Skills Health & Safety

jarroldtraining.co.uk

CONFERENCES

PLANNING THE PERFECT

CONFERENCE

When it comes to putting on a product launch, meeting or conference, preparation is keyâ&#x20AC;Ś

A CONFERENCE IS AN EXCELLENT FORUM TO HELP A BUSINESS or organisation share information and spread the message about what they do. It gives delegates opportunities to learn about innovative developments and skills, discover new products and techniques, share best practice, and also network with like-minded people. Yet beneath all the activity of presentations, sidemeetings, seminars and trade stands is a critical structure essential to ensure the whole process runs as smoothly and seamlessly as possible. It is about the catering, the room layout, the technical aspects, Wi-Fi, accommodation, parking and all the touches and facilities that delegates may take for granted but which are integral to a successful event. All of this underpins the broader content of a conference. Get it right and nobody notices â&#x20AC;&#x201C; it was what was expected. But if it goes wrong, it can have a major effect on delegates and a negative impact on the business or organisation that is hosting the event. Organising a conference is a major undertaking; from picking the right venue to the layout of the room, the timing and scheduling of the programme and, of course, ensuring that all delegates are comfortable and catered for. Norfolk has a wide range of conference facilities with major hotels, bespoke centres and specialist venues that can host anything from small groups up to major events with hundreds of delegates. Some are in and around Norwich, but others are spread across the county. Ann Tattam, conference and events manager

MARCH 2016

It is all about attention to detail and planning

at OPEN in Norwich, explained that the key to a successful conference lies in meticulous planning. “The more detail an organisation can give us on their perceptions of how they want the event to be, the better we can deliver on that,” she said. “It is all about attention to detail and planning.” Ahead of an event at OPEN, she and her team will spend time with the client, discussing technical detail and equipment requirements, the layout of the room and catering arrangements, and then draw up a template of what the room will look like. “We can provide our own on-site catering or use the client’s own catering if they require.” There is flexibility in the facilities at OPEN from small business rooms available for a couple of people or small groups, through to the venue’s banking hall facility which can accommodate up to 500 people. It also has well-equipped training rooms, areas for eating and also the “marketplace” area for trade stands and product displays. Organisations using OPEN range from the NHS, charities, business and political groups – Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn spoke at the venue recently – as well as major city events and fairs. OPEN is hosting Norwich Fashion Week this month, for example (find out more on page 40). Conferences and events can last up to a week or for as little as an hour for a company presentation to staff. “We have very good technical facilities here at OPEN that other venues may have to hire in and an excellent technical team,” said Mrs Tattam. “It is a case of an organisation giving us as much information as they can on what they require from their conference, and then trusting us to deliver.” Whilst companies or organisations may have a vision for their conference, taking on board expert help and support is important. Jarrold Training is a provider of IT training, management development, business skills and health and safety training across the region. It works with a range of clients from small and medium

MARCH 2016

CONFERENCES enterprises to large corporations and public sector and voluntary organisations to deliver events, training and personal development sessions and conferences. As a training company and a division of Jarrold & Sons Ltd which has interests in property, retail, facilities management and training - it runs a series of events from its venue at St James’ Mill in Norwich but has now teamed up with the Knights Hill Hotel & Spa near King’s Lynn to offer a similar service in the west of Norfolk. Jarrold Training’s business development manager, Elliot Symonds, said the key to a successful conference lies in ensuring everything runs smoothly and like clockwork. “The whole process has to be seamless and when a delegate enters the conference room, all the substantial things that they expect to be in place are there and available and all the questions they may have are already answered.” Key to that is making sure all the logistical aspects are in place: the venue is right, the layout of the room is as specified by the client, the technical equipment works as planned, the Wi-Fi is operating as expected and that there is ample parking. In addition, there should be comfortable accommodation and good food, leaving delegates free to focus on the key subject or training issue of the day. Working with Knights Hill extends the service Jarrold Training can offer but Mr Symonds added: “We also felt it important to work with a partner within the county as Jarrold’s is such a well-known aspect of Norfolk. “We are also pleased to be working with Knights Hill as they can offer excellent accommodation and training and sit with the values that we at Jarrold Training have. “As brands we trust one another and they are closely aligned with what we do.” Over the next few months, Jarrold Training will be organising more than 30 separate conferences for companies such as manufacturing businesses to help meet the professional

development and training needs with various organisations. While ensuring the conferences run smoothly, Jarrold Training can also provide the content for the event as required. Its conferences can be for as few as three or four people, through to up to 40 delegates, and range from half-day sessions and the most popular one-day events through to oneweek or two-week blocks or a series of events over a longer period of time. Across Norfolk, there are numerous other smaller companies that offer support to ensure conferences run smoothly and that all the relevant equipment is in place. The Banqueting Hire Service from Pulham Market, for example, provides items such as table centres, tablecloths, cutlery and ovens and fridges for major conferences. It also works closely with businesses that specialise in providing the external catering for conferences and events such as Trio’s Catering in Loddon and Funnells in Lowestoft, making sure delegates are fed and have something to eat with. Staging a conference is a major event for any business or organisation. Ensuring the right level of professional and expert support is in place can be pivotal to its success.

MARCH 2016

NORFOLK SHOWGROUND

Kitchen Sense of Harleston For Quality Fitted Kitchens and Appliances

KITCHEN SENSE COMMON SENSE

MACGREGOR BUILDING OFFER! 50% OFF ROOM HIRE! Bookings before 15th April 2016 and new customers only

With large windows and attractive views over parkland, the light, purpose-built meeting rooms in the MacGregor Building make it the ideal space for meetings, workshops and training sessions. Perfect for workshops requiring a number of rooms for syndicate groups, we can provide a range of furnishing options to suit the format and style of your meeting. Depending on your requirements various catering options are also available, all of which are sourced from the finest local producers and can be organised at the time of your booking with our friendly events team.

62 London Road, Harleston, Norfolk IP20 9BZ Tel: 01379 852592 Fax: 01379 854411 staff@kitchen-sense.co.uk | www.kitchen-sense.co.uk

•

Ample free parking

•

Free wifi

•

Full audio-visual facilities

•

Full day and half day rates available

For more information on hiring any of the rooms within the MacGregor Building, please contact: info@norfolkshowground.co.uk or 01603 748931 www.rnaa.org.uk

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SERVICES LIMITED

P&S Personnel LTD was created in Great Yarmouth in March 2006. It very quickly established itself as a leading recruitment specialist offering unique, transparent recruitment solutions to companies across the UK. With its adaptive & cost effect approach to bespoke customer service. Over the past 10 years P&S have been recognised for their services to the Recruitment industry by winning over 15 business awards including, Best Team, Best Recruitment Consultants, Boss of the Year, Best Business to Business, Best Customer Services to name a few.

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Thetford Ofﬁce: Innovation Centre, Croxton Road, Thetford, Norfolk, IP24 1JD Tel: 01842 768368

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� �

01508 518 063

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HOMES & INTERIORS

BIG DESIGNS FOR SMALL SPACES Rebecca Coulby shares her ideas for transforming your bathroom

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Over the years, we have come to value our bathrooms to a much greater extent and so bathroom design has evolved considerably.

Instead of a purely functional room, separate from the rest of the house, a bathroom has become a multi-functioning space that is incorporated far more into the rest of the home. It is a place of sanctuary where we can prepare calmly for the day ahead or de-stress following a hectic day. A bathroom can make or break a house sale and so it is worth investing in them with good design, time and money. Designing a bathroom can be a real challenge. It is usually the smallest room of the house and so getting it to function effectively is absolutely key. Many of my recent designs have involved features such as the continued use of the same flooring from the living rooms into the bathroom to create an allencompassing design that flows right through the house. Using similar colour palettes as other rooms can emphasise this. Soft, mood lighting and elegant fixtures and fittings such as crystal lighting and lit shelving recesses, beautiful bespoke vanity units and storage cabinets, furniture and even armchairs and sofas all work to afford the bathroom its elevated status. After all, who doesn’t want their own bathroom to feel like a luxurious spa? Of course, all this is not always possible; in fact for the majority of us the bathroom is never quite big enough and this is where my design skills are tested. Often a client will say to me that they don’t believe their bathroom can be designed

in any other way. However, by fully exploring all the possible design options, I have been able to create large separate showers (currently highly desirable) and baths in a room that only appeared to have room for one or the other, or add larger basins, mirrors and storage to make better use of the space. The secret is to look at both the negative and positive space in the bathroom and rooms surrounding it - often there is far too much wasted space and not enough actually in use. A new bathroom will usually cost more than you think, as much of the cost is hidden in all the plumbing work required. However, this is not an area for cutting costs as a poorly plumbed and finished bathroom can lead to a lot of unnecessary cost and stress. Use a reputable company, ask for recommendations and be careful when buying cheap sanitary ware online as this carries a higher risk of goods being damaged upon delivery and if you have already got your workmen booked in, this could be costly and you could be without a bathroom for longer. Having said that, you do not need to go for high-end sanitary ware or taps either, but British-made items will usually mean that parts can be replaced more quickly if required. Bathrooms also allow freedom for fun and creativity. Mosaics or coloured glass splashbacks are a great way to add colour and create a unique look. Choose the best quality your budget will allow, such as Original Style’s Mother of Pearl or their stunning glass mosaics. Less is more and just a couple of sheets can add a sense of glamour and sophistication. A solid stone work surface on a bespoke vanity unit is also a good investment and will look beautiful for years to come. Bathroom lighting has come a long way and can really add a sumptuous, soothing mood, and clever use of large mirrors to reflect light and add a sense of space is always a good idea.

MARCH 2016

SPRING FEVER THERE’S A REAL FEELING OF OPTIMISM IN THE AIR, with the

rebirth of trees, plants and flowers in the countryside and in our gardens. Colours are reappearing in the landscape, as the temperature slowly rises, and we enjoy the comforting thought that the entire summer lies ahead. The cycle continues in our fauna, too, with lambs hopping in the fields, chicks scuttling around the farmyard and hares putting on their boxing shows. Easter falls in March this year too, so this is the perfect time to introduce some spring time fun into the home and to brighten up your bedroom, kitchen or living space.

HAYLEY & JENNIFER are homeware buyers

Jarrold’s

1-11 London Street, Norwich, NR2 1AL www.jarrold.co.uk

The Granary

5 Bedford Street, Norwich, NR2 1AL www.thegranary.co.uk

SOPHIE ALLPORT, Chickens cotton apron £17, tea cosy £14 Keep your clothes free from baking mess and protect yourself from cooking spillages with this attractive apron. Some quirky Speckled Maran hens sit on the sage grey material interspersed with little white eggs. In 100 per cent cotton, machine washable, and measuring 72cms x 90cms, it has a handy pocket for utensils and an adjustable neck strap - a lovely gift for any aspiring chef. Add some style to a tea or breakfast setting and keep your brew nice and warm with this chicken-shaped tea cosy. With terry towelling and polyester wadding for brilliant insulation, it fits any four cup teapot.

PLUTO PRODUCKTER, copper rabbit £15 How cute is this trinket box?! He would be happy to sit on the shelf at any time of the year. 17cm high

PLUTO PRODUCKTER, copper and white egg £10 This is a multi-purpose yet beautifully designed ceramic egg with a metallic glaze. It has two completely different uses. You could either fill it with your favourite trinkets or you could fill it with water and put a single stem flower in the 7mm circular hole in the top! 15cm high.

SEASALT, Joyful Daffs duvet cover from £60, pillow cases £15 Designed in Cornwall where the brand opened its first shop in Penzance in 1981, this pretty bedding collection in 100 per cent soft cotton epitomises the spring season. The soft blue and yellow shades of the daffodil pattern blend beautifully and contrast with the subtle yellowstriped reverse.

INTERIORS

SOPHIE ALLPORT, Hare set of four napkins £13 A set of four durable cotton napkins with hares racing over a stone-coloured background. Each napkin is 41cms x 41cms. Equally at home on the breakfast, tea or dinner table.

VOYAGE MAISON, Spring Hares cushion, Boxing Hares cushion, The Girls cushion, all £45 From original ink and watercolour paintings, skilled local craftsmen use print, weave and embroidery techniques on Scottish linen in their UK factory to create these delightful cushions – almost works of art in their own right. The material is a linen cotton mix and they are filled with duck feathers for a plump and luxurious feel.

WIKHOLMFORM, clear eggs, assorted colours from £3 This Swedish brand, established in 1937, uses lots of different mediums including ceramics, wood, glass and steel to produce strikingly unusual pieces for the home, patio and garden. This collection of delicate, transparent Easter decorations looks amazing as a single feature or grouped together (feathers not included).

CATHERINE LANSFIELD, Bunnies bedding sets. Single £18, double £26 These cute bunnies would be at home in any child’s bedroom. In a mixture of bright and pastel shades with a pretty red and white star design reverse, the individual bunnies could even find themselves with their very own names! Practical in a washable cotton mix fabric and great value too.

EMMA BRIDGEWATER, Hen & Toast set of 2½ pint mugs £39.95 set of three egg cups £29.95 Both Emma and her husband Matthew Rice adore hens of every shape, size and breed, as you can see from their extensive design portfolio, and you could say that they have been brooding over the idea of mixing their iconic Black Toast lettering with their Year in the Country hen’s drawings. Well, now the range has hatched and the result is fantastic! Both the sets are packed in their very own hen houses and make perfect gifts.

WIKHOLMFORM, Selma glass eggs, assorted £4 each These opaque crackled eggs are wonderfully unique. In different sizes, they look especially fabulous on a twig tree with the light filtering through – a real talking point at Eastertime.

MARCH 2016

THE STORY OF SUCCESS Norfolk Manufacturingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s reputation for its beautiful, bespoke kitchens and bedrooms is spreading far and wideâ&#x20AC;Ś

orfolk Manufacturing in Gorleston is a true local success story. This busy bespoke kitchen business started off as a small concern on the Longs industrial estate on Englands Lane some 18 years ago and within six months of trading owner Graham Vaudin had secured enough business for the next two-and-ahalf years. With so many customers on the books, the company made the decision to expand and to move into much bigger premises so that they could offer more clients their exceptional personalised kitchenmaking service. Nowadays, Graham and his close-knit team (which includes his talented son Martyn) are constantly in demand, whether for their made-to-measure kitchens, fitted bedrooms, bathrooms, utility rooms and even offices. Often theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll find that a client who has had a kitchen made by Norfolk Manufacturing will return a little later to ask for their help with another area of the house; their customers also tell their friends and they, in turn, tell theirs and so clearly the company is doing something right.

MARCH 2016

ADVERTORIAL

The key to Norfolk Manufacturing’s success comes down to the fact that their kitchens are made from scratch on-site, as Graham explains: “The biggest thing of all is that we actually make 99 per cent of it – it’s truly bespoke and comes with the personal touch.” Indeed, it’s fascinating watching the Norfolk Manufacturing team at work and seeing how the many component parts of a kitchen are created and then fitted so smoothly together. The company’s expansive warehouse is home to some very clever, computer-operated machinery, which means that the core materials – such as flat sheets of Corian (a solid surface worktop) and woodchip – are curved, bent, honed and moulded into the exact shapes that the customers desire. Graham says: “We never do flat-pack here; we make our own – that’s the beauty of what we do and that’s why we’re doing so well. These days, people want the best of the best – high quality at a good price.” Consequently their tailor-made kitchens have to be both functional and beautiful, as customers want the ‘wow’ factor but need to know that every part of the room will be as useful and practical as possible. Norfolk Manufacturing can simply provide the kitchen itself or will be happy to take care of everything, as Graham explains: “You can have just the kitchen or you can have the full project – tilers, floor-layers, the lot.” Norfolk Manufacturing will be happy to project-manage the whole process and has access to a range of skilled operators, from kitchen-fitters to painters and plasterers. Graham adds: “If you come to us, you’ve got the right people doing the right job, and you’ve got the paperwork to back it up as well – the office service – all done.” Graham also confesses to being a perfectionist, saying: “I’m the fussiest person you’ll ever meet in your life – if it ain’t right, it’s coming out!” However, thanks to his many years of experience (he started out as an apprentice cabinet-maker when he was just 15) and the company’s clever CNC equipment, each job is a matter of precision. Customers’ kitchen dimensions are entered into a computer which uses the exact measurements to create templates for their work surfaces, cupboards and drawers, all of which add up to the final, fabulous result. The fittings are absolutely precise, too, with sinks and taps dropping snugly into draining boards, for example, and computer-operated drills creating the holes for cupboards, drawers and shelves in just the right places. There are all sorts of styles of kitchen available at Norfolk Manufacturing, along with an array of work

surfaces and finishes. Consequently the order book is full of requests for everything from breakfast bars to colour co-ordinated medicine cabinets for the nearby James Paget Hospital. Kitchens remain constantly popular, while requests for fitted bedrooms are also on the rise. Graham confides: “Demand this year is the best we’ve ever seen. Last year we grew 10 per cent and this year I think we’re going to expand by 25 per cent.” It’s clear from the team’s enthusiasm that they take pride in their work, checking everything meticulously and only being satisfied when the best results have been achieved. Graham is keen to stress that theirs is a team effort (“The team is what makes the company”) and it’s thanks to this close-knit team that Norfolk Manufacturing can offer customers tight turn-around times - sometimes even just a few days. Both Graham and Martyn are Corian-trained (a vigorous, in-depth process) and each member of the team has something to bring to the table. There are lots of kitchen companies around these days, but the thing that sets Norfolk Manufacturing apart is the fact that their kitchens are hand-crafted and handfinished. As Graham says: “We’re different because we make it!” The future certainly looks bright. Not only are orders continuing to flood in, but the company is also currently investing in a compact kitchen showroom area at the front of the building so that they can show potential clients just what they can do. Besides examples of fitted kitchens and bedrooms, the new showroom will include TV footage of actual projects that have been carried out for customers, so that new clients can see just what can be achieved. As the company says on its adverts: “The only limitation is your imagination.”

Norfolk Manufacturing 41 Longs Industrial Estate Englands Lane Gorleston Great Yarmouth NR31 6NE Tel: 01493 441188 Email: norfolk.manufacturing@btconnect.com www.norfolkmanufacturing.co.uk MARCH 2016

- Celebrating our 15th Anniversary -

Visit our showroom: Unit 1 Tilia Court, Wendover Road, Rackheath Industrial Estate, Norwich, NR13 6SX (Directions: Turn left into Tilia Court at end of Stratstans premises)

Telephone 01603 722385 | Email jhdinteriors@btinternet.com Website www.jhdinteriors.co.uk

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HOME & INTERIORS

PRETTYAS A PICTURE Let the springtime into your home with these lovely items from JHD Interiors

CHAIR James Armchair from £1,363 SCATTER CUSHION C140039 £43

CURTAIN FABRIC Voyage Morning Chorus £51 per metre LEFT SCATTER CUSHION Voyage C150062 (reverse shown in photo) £39 MIDDLE SCATTER CUSHION Voyage C150067 (front shown in photo) £39 RIGHT SCATTER CUSHION Voyage C140057 £48

CHAIR Voyage Florence Hydrangea from £799 SOFA Voyage Marcus 3 Seater £1,200 LAMP Voyage Darya Lamp £179 LEFT SCATTER CUSHION Voyage C150067 £39 RIGHT SCATTER CUSHION Voyage C150033 £56 THROW Voyage T150002 £132 TABLE Voyage Caitlin Side Table £485 RUG Voyage Infinity from £225

LEFT SCATTER CUSHION Voyage C140082 £39 RIGHT SCATTER CUSHION Voyage C120371 £42 ROMAN BLIND FABRIC Voyage - Come By £51 per metre. Made-to-measure Roman blinds available. Price on application.

JHD Interiors Ltd

Unit 1 Tilia Court, Wendover Road, Rackheath Industrial Estate, Norwich NR13 6SX Tel: 01603 722385 • Email: jhdinteriors@btinternet.com

www.jhdinteriors.co.uk MARCH 2016

GOING FOR HER

GOALS Dining out, the cinema and sport are how Norwich Sunblindsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; company director Fiona Garwood unwinds. But as Mark Nicholls discovered when he met her, she also enjoys a challenge

Visit us at our showroom at 8 St Benedicts Street, Norwich, NR2 4AG Telephone: 01603 334050

or at our Attleborough showroom at 11 - 14 Haverscroft Ind Est,New Road, Attleborough, NR17 1YE Telephone: 01953 544018

www.norwichsunblinds.co.uk

ADVERTORIAL As her creative business thrives, Fiona Garwood has set herself some personal goals…50 of them, to be precise. Having recently passed her 50th birthday, she felt it was time to meet some long-held challenges. “It was the ‘50-at-50’ element that appealed,” she said. Some are quirky and others fun, such as wearing 50 different types of nail polish or lipstick and sampling 50 wines and makes of chocolate. But the more serious ambitions of running a half marathon or cycling from London to Paris underline a personal drive that has seen her develop the family firm of Norwich Sunblinds, help it grow and set her eye on further expansion. Norwich Sunblinds is an established firm which manufacturers and retails blinds and curtains from factory premises in Attleborough and has a showroom and shop in the fashionable St Benedict’s area of Norwich. As director of sales & marketing, Fiona explains that the company takes immense pride in the fact that its blinds are sourced and manufactured in Norfolk at its factory premises, while curtains are crafted through a locally-based team of skilled home workers. The range includes vertical blinds, roller blinds, Venetian blinds, pleated blinds and woven wood blinds in modern or traditional patterns and colours. Curtains can be designed and made in modern or traditional styles, plain or patterned and from a choice of colours. “The bespoke blinds are manufactured in-house in made-tomeasure designs and, as we are independent, we can source our fabrics from all over the country from any of our suppliers”, explained Fiona. “When we deliver and fit curtains they are ‘dressed’ to ensure they hang correctly. It is about providing a full service. “We do make a big play that we manufacture in Norfolk and use components and fabrics produced in the UK. They are good quality and that is part of everything we do, with a strong customer focus and high levels of customer satisfaction.” Norwich Sunblinds was formed in 1978 by Fiona’s father John Reddington, who worked from home before opening the present shop in St Benedict’s soon after. “I joined when I was about 20,” recalls Fiona. “I had another job at the time working at the Assembly House in Norwich as a pastry chef but then there was an opening within the company – well, actually my mum Pauline fell pregnant – and that is when I came in.” Norwich Sunblinds began manufacturing made-to-measure vertical and rollers blinds above the St Benedict’s shop in 1980. “I remember when we would have five-metre head rails delivered, we had to shut the street because they were so long. We had to lift them from the lorry and through the upstairs

window as they wouldn’t go through the shop,” recalled Fiona, whose husband Kevin joined the business in 1989 after a career in banking and who is now managing director of the firm. Her brother-in-law Paul Solomon is also a director. As the business grew, it moved its manufacturing operation to Oak Street, expanding the range, with Fiona joining the team making Venetian and pleated blinds. With the Oak Street property converted into offices, Norwich Sunblinds moved the manufacturing arm to Bunn’s Bank industrial estate in Attleborough in 1990 and to the current site on the Haverscroft Industrial Estate 12 years ago. Today, Norwich Sunblinds employs 23 people: four in the showroom and shop in Norwich, four reps, four fitters and 11 in the factory and office in Attleborough (including six on the manufacturing side). “Many of them have been with the company for some time,” said Fiona. The business has a £1.5m turnover – 12 per cent up on last year and with a further 10 per cent increase forecast for the current year, with a target turnover of £2m within three years. It has also diversified into ﬂy screens, soft furnishings, lamp shades and cushion covers. Norwich Sunblinds has also been a staunch supporter of charity and in 2014 made donations of £14,000 to a range of local charities. Away from work, Fiona enjoys sport. She runs, cycles, swims and has salsa lessons, enjoys socialising and spending time with her family and friends and also likes reading. “My favourite writers are Philippa Gregory and Hilary Mantel and crime fiction such as the Stieg Larsson trilogy and Michael Connelly books. “I like to travel too; we have just returned from Malaysia, and I like Italy, but my favourite country, which I visited in 2007, is Cuba,” she said. “I also enjoy live comedy and go to the Norwich Playhouse regularly and I love Cinema City, particularly thriller/suspense films – and also foreign language and Nordic Noir films. “When we eat out, favourite places are Middletons, The Library and B’nou – a tapas bar on St Benedict’s.” Born in Birmingham, Fiona moved to Norwich when she was 11 and went to St Thomas More School – now St Francis of Assisi School in Jessopp Road, Norwich, and later Notre Dame High School for Girls. “I always said I would buy a house on Jessopp Road that I saw every day from the school,” she recalled. “I actually bought the one next door in the end.” Her business ethos is built upon delivering good quality products and having a defined customer focus. “We base our business on personal service and high quality,” she said. “The ethos of the business has always been to give a good service and we like to do that little bit extra for our customers to ensure they receive quality blinds and curtains from us with good service.” While 75 per cent of the operation is for higher end domestic customers, a quarter of the operation is commercial, such as for care homes, solicitors’ offices and GPs’ surgeries; for healthcare establishments Norwich Sunblinds produces a specially-coated, bugresistant fabric. People also ask for blinds for boats, caravans, and port-hole type windows. A goal for the business is to further expand into Cambridge through the Cambridge Sunblinds brand and eventually open a showroom there. For Fiona, having turned 50 in June, running the business is a fulltime affair. But she does still have a few months left to tick off more of her 50 goals to mark her milestone birthday year.

MARCH 2016

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Burgh St Peter Guide Price £ 595,000

4 bedroom barn conversion, converted to a high standard by its current owners. Open plan spaces are to be found throughout the property which really suits modern day living, The grounds of the property extend to 0.75 acre sts with, cart lodge, large lawned area, driveway, double garage that has full planning permission and building regulations in place to convert it to a one bedroom annexe.

Wheatacre Guide Price £ 525,000

A 4/5 bedroom executive detached house includes reception hall, downstairs cloakroom/WC and en-suite bathroom to 15’5x1’7 master bedroom, study, 27’7x15’5” lounge to front aspect, double doors and windows into conservatory, gas effect wood burner and separate dining room/kitchen/breakfast room. Also features a utility room, 4 good sized bedrooms and, outside, a brick weave driveway leading to garage.

Your Move Oliver James 26-28 New Market, Beccles, Suffolk,NR34 9HD Tel; 01502 273273 | 07768003614

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PROPERTY

ON THE INCREASE Our new property columnist Neil MacLennan, director of sales at Oliver James Premier Homes, looks at the forthcoming changes to Stamp Duty

THINKING OF BUYING A SECOND HOME, OR A BUY TO LET PROPERTY?

Hopefully you will be aware of the changes to the Stamp Duty Land Tax that will come into effect from April 1 this year, where property buyers in England and Wales will have to pay an additional three per cent on each stamp duty band. Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) is a progressive tax paid when purchasing a freehold, leasehold or shared ownership residential property over £125,000 in England, Northern Ireland and Wales (there’s a separate Land and Buildings Transaction Tax in Scotland). New SDLT rates were introduced in 2014’s Autumn Statement, introducing a sliding system based on thresholds and dependent on a property price. Buy to Let and Second Home Stamp Duty Tax Bands Current rate

Rate from April 1

Up to £125,000

£125,001 to £250,000

£250,001 to £925,000

£925,001 to £1.5m

10%

13%

We have seen a huge surge in enquiries coming from people who are rushing to beat the deadline, mostly from landlords looking to purchase a buy to let property, and the stock of suitable

properties is getting harder to find. This started back in November last year and saw a sharp increase in mortgage approvals during December in what is traditionally a low point in the mortgage market. How will this affect the property market in the months following the deadline? Well, it is hard to say, but currently the buy to let market accounts for 14 per cent of all property transactions annually and I would be surprised if that figure does not decline in the third and fourth quarters of this “My advice is year. That would then leave this: if you are in the first time buyers in a negotiations with a far stronger position when buyer that will be it comes to purchasing in affected by this tax, then you should very this part of the market and hopefully they’ll take up the seriously consider gap. any offers that So where does it leave you, you receive prior if you are a vendor selling in to the deadline, an area that is popular for because those offers second homes or selling in a could well end up prime buy to let sector of the being lower if not market? My advice is this: if withdrawn after the you are in negotiations with deadline has passed” a buyer that will be affected by this tax, then you should very seriously consider any offers that you receive prior to the deadline, because those offers could well end up being lower if not withdrawn after the deadline has passed. One other factor that you should consider relating to the SDLT is that Easter is approaching fast, one of the busiest times of the year for estate agents and conveyancers alike, and this rush to complete sales is no doubt going to put huge pressure on conveyancers. It has never been more important that your choice of conveyancers is a good one, and you should take advice and get assurances that they will be able to make the deadline. If you are thinking of selling and would like to discuss how this could affect you, then please call me personally.

Neil MacLennan YOUR MOVE PREMIER HOMES 26-28 New Market, Beccles, Suffolk NR34 9HD Tel: 01502 273273 • Mob: 07768 003614 www.your-move.co.uk MARCH 2016

A PROMINENT

POSITION This prestigious, Grade II-listed property has played an important role in Harlestonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s history, having been home to successive GPs since 1853

MARCH 2016

PROPERTY OF THE MONTH

Located on Redenhall Road in the heart

of Harleston, Candlers is a magnificent, Grade II-listed house, arguably the most important late 17th century brick residence in the town. On the open market for the first time in over 150 years, this impressive property has a total of nine bedrooms and four bathrooms, currently configured over a principal residence, Dispensary Cottage (a separately listed Grade II building), and a self-contained first floor apartment. It also boasts a range of Victorian outbuildings including garaging, a gig house (once used for carriages) with a loft, and various general stores. The property has wellkept, south-facing gardens of over three-quarters of an acre and occupies a prominent position around 350m from Harleston town centre. Diss is 10 miles away, Norwich 20 miles and Southwold 22 miles. A quintessential William and Mary residence, typical of important houses from the period, Candlers has an illustrious history. The first recorded resident was in 1698 and during the 18th century the house was occupied by Thomas Warburton, Archdeacon of Norfolk, who lived there from 1763 to 1797. Candlers has been a doctor’s house since 1853, with a string of eminent doctors having lived there. Home to the town’s General Practitioner since that date, surgeries were held in the Dispensary Cottage at the northern end of the main house: this cottage could remain self-contained or could be incorporated back into the main accommodation, as could the current self-contained apartment. Many of the property’s attractive original architectural features remain, such as fireplaces, panelled walls, dado rails and window seats, while on the first floor landing light radiates from its stained glass roof lantern. The main accommodation includes a reception hallway, inner hallway, drawing room, dining room, old library, morning room, butler’s pantry, kitchen, rear lobby, office and cellar. The bedrooms are divided among the main house, Dispensary Cottage and apartment and include a master bedroom, three attic rooms and five other bedrooms, and there are four bathrooms (see the floorplan on the website for the full layout). Meanwhile, the outside space is equally impressive, with the ledged and braced entrance gate leading through to a gravelled parking and turning area which is flanked by Victorian brick and tile outbuildings – a former stable, gig house, garage and garden store. The mature garden lies mainly to the south-east of the house and is made up of lawns, paved areas, rose and flower beds, vegetable and fruit gardens, tall yew hedges and many attractive trees including two magnificent limes and a fruit-bearing mulberry tree. Viewings strictly by appointment only with Durrants.

ESTATE AGENT

Candlers in Harleston is for sale with Durrants, 32-34 Thoroughfare, Harleston, Norfolk, IP20 9AU. Tel: 01379 852217. Email: andrew.lefevre@durrants.com. Website: www.durrants.com

ASKING PRICE

Candlers is a freehold property priced at £795,000.

IN A NUTSHELL

This magnificent Grade II-listed property occupies a prominent position 350m from the town centre. It comprises a principal residence, a separately listed Grade II cottage and a self-contained, first floor apartment – featuring nine bedrooms and four bathrooms in all, over about 6,900 sqft (642 sqm). Plus south-facing gardens of about 0.84 acre.

MARCH 2016

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5 YEAR

GUARANTEE

HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS

So why go elsewhere when quality blinds and curtains are right on your doorstep?

NORWICH SUNBLINDS 01603 334050

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SPRING IS IN THE AIR With warmer weather on its way and signs of colour everywhere, our gardening expert Ellen Mary springs into action

While your shrubby dogwood (Cornus) and willow have provided you with stunning colourful winter stems, now is the time to cut them back to give them plenty of time to grow more long stems throughout the summer months, ready for next winter’s show. My favourite is Cornus Sanguinea Midwinter Fire. Don’t forget to open up the greenhouse or the top of your grow house to allow ventilation on warmer days. While the evenings will still be too cold for tender plants, the sun really can warm up in the daytime which will be too warm for inside a greenhouse and can encourage pests and diseases. As your plants and bulbs, such as daffodils and crocuses, start to enjoy the sunshine and the increase in soil temperature, young shoots will begin to appear. To ensure your flowers are not ruined, protect new shoots from slugs and snails. Try using crushed egg shells around your plants and copper tape on your pots and containers. Nematodes are also a really organic and natural approach to keep on top of garden pests.

MARCH 2016

Fruit & Vegetables

Wildlife Gardening

It’s a great month to get outside and plant onions, shallots and garlic, as long as the soil is not waterlogged or frozen. At the same time, you can begin to chit your potatoes on a light windowsill. You can put those green fingers to use on a sunny or rainy day at this time of year. It’s also time to start sowing salad seeds such as spring onion, lettuce and radish, as long as you keep them in a greenhouse or under a protective cloche. You will enjoy picking them very early in the growing season by starting to sow them in succession from now on. If you love strawberries and just can’t wait for your summer fruit, you can cover your plants with a protective cloche or horticultural fleece to encourage them to bear fruit earlier. There’s no need to wait until mid-summer for your Eton Mess!

As the weather starts to warm up, frogs, toads and newts begin to spawn, so keep an eye out for these magical signs of life. Create toad homes from broken pots and ponds from buckets with stones in the bottom. Take a look at the RSPB’s website, www.rspb.org.uk, for the Give Nature A Home campaign for loads of ideas to help wildlife in your garden. If you are thinking about hedging or screening for your garden, plant native hedges to encourage wildlife. This will achieve year-round interest and provide wildlife with food such as berries and seeds, and you will be amazed at how much more wildlife you will find in your garden. Try hawthorn which blackbirds and thrushes will thoroughly enjoy and Guelder Rose, ideal for attracting wildlife. Give your garden birds a helping hand by supplying them with nesting material around your garden. You can leave out moss, piles of small twigs, even pieces of your own hair or pet dog’s fur. These will all help them create a safe, warm nesting place for the busy season to come.

GARDENING

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HUNT IS ON Mark Nicholls heads off in search of a bargainâ&#x20AC;Ś

BROWSING AROUND ANTIQUES AND COLLECTORS FAIRS IS GROWING IN POPULARITY. Sometimes it is fascinating just to take a close-up look at what is on sale, but many of us are also tempted to buy, particularly if we sense that we may have a bargain. The pleasure is perhaps in seeing something we like, often unexpectedly, and visualising where it will stand or hang in our home. Antiques fairs are also great places for picking up a special gift. In addition, there are several auction houses across the region which hold regular sales where you may find yourself bidding against a rival for a lovely piece of silver, a collectable toy, a splendid item of furniture or a piece of fine art. This desire for antique items or quirky memorabilia has been fired in recent years by the popularity of TV shows which dig out, or even track down, bargains. And every so often, we see the cameras zoom in on an item an owner thought was of minimal worth or simply had curiosity value, only to discover that it is extremely rare or even priceless.

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INTERIORS

The Antiques Roadshow is probably the longest-running and most popular television series of this ilk and most of us are more than happy to invite Fiona Bruce into our homes through our TV screen, along with her accompanying entourage of experts, to see what items people have brought along. It may be a magnificent piece of furniture, a family heirloom or military medal, a vase or a delightful watercolour. Of course, we are interested in its history and provenance, but what we often want to know most of all is its value. Over the years, the Antiques Roadshow has been broadcast from Norfolk on a number of occasions; visiting Norwich Cathedral, the Sainsbury Centre at the University of East Anglia, Oxburgh Hall, Holkham Hall and even RAF Marham. Many of the items highlighted have, inevitably, had very specific Norfolk connections and connotations. Items unearthed include Nelson memorabilia, including a letter from the Vice Admiral brought in by his old school; an original illustration by artist Cecil Aldin for Black Beauty (valued at £4,000), written by Anna Sewell, who was born in Great Yarmouth and who died in Old Catton; and the silver statue of a knight on his horse, famous as the slowly-rotating symbol of Anglia TV. There has also been a beautifully-illustrated 15th century Book of Hours worth £8,000, letters from John Lennon’s Aunt Mimi to a fan, antique guns and a sideboard that might have belonged to Edward VII, which was valued at £15,000. Elsewhere on the telly there’s the ever-popular Bargain Hunt, made famous by tanned presenter David Dickinson, and also Cash in the Attic, which works on the premise that you never know what valuable items may lie hidden in your loft. But beyond TV programmes, collecting of antiques, artwork and memorabilia remains hugely popular, as demonstrated by the number of antiques and collectors fairs that are held regularly right across East Anglia. They attract thousands of visitors: some in search of specific items or with a clear eye for a bargain, others just happy to browse in case they stumble across something that attracts them. The Norfolk Showground Antique and Collectors Fair has more than 400 indoor and outdoor stands, with events held several times throughout the year. Within Norwich at the historic St Andrew’s Hall is the popular Norwich City Antiques Fair & Fleamarket, continuing a long history of sales on the site. Antiques, collectables, retro, vintage and fleamarket items have been sold in the hall since 1975, though events have been taking place there since the 16th century, and that tradition is continued with monthly sales to this day. Elsewhere across the county there are sales rooms, village antiques fairs, one-off events, and regular auctions of highly-collectible items, antiques and fine arts. One of the more established auctioneers is Durrants, which holds regular auctions at it sales room in Peddars Lane, Beccles. Annually, it holds 16 antique and fine arts sales, four specialist toy and collectors sales, a sporting and antique guns of distinction sale, and four militaria sales of medals uniforms and antique firearms, in addition to other sales such as property auctions. Sales regularly attract up to 80 people to the auction room, though as many as 300 others worldwide also participate through on-line bidding portals.

Yet when it comes to auctions, antiques, furnishings and fine art, fashion is a significant factor. What may be popular one year may have fallen in value and appeal the next year. Copper, brass and brown furnishings are not as popular as they once were, yet other named furnishings – such as Gillows and McIntosh – sell well, as do items with a recognisable name: think Clarice Cliff or Troika pottery. Durrants auction room manager Mark Whistler revealed: “In terms of fine art and antiques, good silver is doing very well and anything that is slightly unusual, something that is not regularly seen at auction, will always prove popular. “One example we had not so long ago was the surgeon’s kit of a doctor from the late 1800s. That was very unusual and what made it special was that it was specifically named to him, there was provenance and that is very important.” Inevitably, with the centenary commemorations of World War One underway, anything from the 1914 to 18 conflict is proving popular, such as medals and uniforms, but military memorabilia is generally highly collectable anyway. Paintings, prints, watercolours and fine oils are always sought after, too. Durrants has sold a number of works by Suffolk artist Thomas Churchyard, including achieving a record price for one of his paintings. It also sold a set of Italian architectural sketches for £57,000. Other auction houses have their own specialities and niches – such as coins, books, stamps or porcelain – and ahead of every sale, there’s a chance to look through the catalogue and bid for an item that catches one’s eye. But often, the pleasure lies in browsing around an antique and collectors’ fair, in the hope that we will stumble across a delightful item that will prove to be an irresistible bargain. Happy hunting!

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Protecting Your Business Assets A look at the legal and practical ways to protect yourself and your business from the unexpected events that occur which put a business at risk Clapham & Collinge are holding a series of briefings aimed at business owners and professional advisors to highlight the problems that can occur and how to avoid them with a little forward planning. What needs to be done to ensure the continuity of a business? What if a business owner: Lin Whitehead, Partner & Head of Private Client Department

• Becomes mentally or physically incapable of running their business • Has a divorce • Falls out with a co-owner • Dies

Mark Kermez, Partner & Head of Litigation

Neale Grearson, Head of Family Department

Clapham & Collinge will be looking at solutions and how to achieve continuity so that a business does not fail or is put in jeopardy • Proper documentation on setting up a business • Shareholders’ agreements • Commercial LPA’s • Employment contracts • Pre-nuptial Agreements

The briefings are free to attend and a light breakfast/ lunch/refreshments will be available on arrival, depending on the briefing you attend. Due to high demand and the opening of our new South Norfolk office, we are delighted to add Brooke as a new location to our series of briefings.

Locations and dates: Tuesday 19th April 2016 – The Assembly House, Theatre Street, Norwich, NR2 1RQ from 8:15am to 9:30am (breakfast from 7:45am) Wednesday 20th April 2016 – Q’s Bistro, 2 Quaker Lane, Fakenham, NR21 9BQ from 8:15am to 9:30am (breakfast from 7:45am) Tuesday 26th April 2016 – 3 Augusta Street, Sheringham NR26 8LA from 5:30pm to 6:45pm (buffet from 5.00pm) Wednesday 27th April 2016 – The Beechwood Hotel, 20 Cromer Road, North Walsham, NR28 0HD from 1:00pm to 2:15pm (buffet lunch from 12:30pm) Thursday 5th May 2016 - The Kings Head, 6 Norwich Rd, Brooke, Norwich NR15 1AB from 1:00pm to 2:15pm (buffet lunch from 12:30pm)

To book your place, or for more information, please contact Louis Hilldrup-Boorman on:

01603 693579 | lhb@clapham-collinge.co.uk

LEADING NEW ANGLIA

A new business landscape for the eastern region

AN INNOVATIVE NEW INITIATIVE TO ENHANCE the employment landscape across the region has been launched by Great Yarmouth College. Leading New Anglia brings together the college’s expertise with the courses it offers and makes them available for key business figures. The unique partnership will support the business sector – and the local economy - whilst helping safeguard the long-term employment prospects of its students. Victoria Beck, the college’s head of marketing, communications and student recruitment, explained that Leading New Anglia is a new business-to-business brand for the college. The college already has strong links with employers, ensuring it has apprentice opportunities whilst maintaining an understanding of what is happening in the marketplace, but the new initiative takes that on to a new level. It sees the college promoting its leadership and management training courses - particularly those that will develop a company’s existing workforce – and expanding those links with employers locally. That will see further opportunities for employers to highlight skills shortages and help the college develop its curriculum by suggesting, or creating demand for, courses to plug those gaps. Ms Beck said: “While there is a downturn in the oil and gas sector,

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MARCH 2016

ADVERTORIAL

there are still opportunities in renewables, but skill shortages remain in construction and social media, for example, so we can focus on these and encourage our students to look at these areas for training so they have a better chance of employment.” Leading New Anglia is the college’s outward-facing offer to business and, while it already has an Employers’ Services Team, where employers identify gaps in training, the new initiative adds an exciting extra dimension to that. With the changing economic scenario – particularly in oil and gas – the college feels it can offer greater support to the business community through the project, which has a number of key strands. “We have formed a business partnership group of employers who will come in and help us with developing the curriculum but also tell us of their needs in terms of skills and training so we are offering training for the skills they might need,” she added. Another element sees the college partnering different organisations to deliver the 6Sigma recognised training standard. However, a critical component of Leading New Anglia – the leadership and management brand of Great Yarmouth College - is the Business Growth Programme. Ms Beck said: “This is in response to challenging times in the oil and gas sector and aimed at business leaders who are now facing those various challenges and may be interested in finding ways of responding to that, such as changing the way they do things or looking at alternative ways to manage their business.” The key partner in the Business Growth Programme - which targets MDs and CEOs with top tier training – is Norwich-based Turning Factor which provides world-class strategic training and business development to offer an immediate and sustained impact on performance, efficiency and motivation. It specialises in accredited Leadership and Management training through a partnership with the Institute of Leadership and

Management, as well as solution-led bespoke training in areas such as sales growth, customer service, communication, change management and personal branding. Ms Beck explained that the Business Growth Programme – to be launched in April - offers coaching and an opportunity for participating businesses to network with a non-competitive peer group for support and problem-solving. She added: “It is a new brand and an example of how we are growing, and offering to industry and employers what they want, in response to what is happening in the marketplace, particularly with oil and gas sector challenges.” Leading New Anglia extends the training currently offered by Great Yarmouth College and is set to have an impact beyond Great Yarmouth with the resource available to businesses across the Eastern region. Leadership and management training and bespoke training can be delivered in a range of locations, including in Norwich, and also at an employer’s own premises if required. The Leading New Anglia initiative comes at a time that heads of colleges throughout Suffolk and Norfolk – including Great Yarmouth College - have joined together to create the New Anglia Colleges’ Group to promote a vision for the future of further education in the region. Ms Beck said Leading New Anglia is a “virtuous circle” for Great Yarmouth College. “It delivers better training and support to industry to help them sustain their business and provide opportunities for our students as companies strive to work through challenging times,” she said. “For us, student success is measured in the numbers that progress to continue studies at university or here at college or on an apprenticeship within industry. Ultimately, Leading New Anglia will offer a better landscape for our students to go into as they set out into the world of work.”

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WEALTH MANAGEMENT

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Thousands have cashed in their Pension Savings – but at what cost? Recent figures show that huge numbers of pension savers have taken advantage of the new Pension Freedoms to cash in their entire pension pot. Carl Lamb looks at the implications WWW.ALMARYGREEN.COM | 01603 706740

PENSION FREEDOMS HAVE BEEN with us since April 2015: most pension savers now have the right to take withdrawals of any amount at any time from their pension savings, provided they have reached the minimum pension age. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has been monitoring the impact of these changes and reported in December on the number of funds that have been accessed under the new rules. In their report they announced that from July to September 2015, 178,990 pension funds have been accessed. They also report that 120,969 pension funds were fully cashed out during that period – ie. the whole remaining fund was withdrawn from the scheme. A significant majority of those that were fully cashed out (88 per cent) were classed as “small pots” in that they were worth no more than £30,000. So what are the longer term implications of taking out your entire pension savings as a lump sum? Firstly, you must remember that only 25 per cent of your fund can be taken free of tax. Any further withdrawals will be taxed as part of your income in the year that you take the money. The danger here is that taking substantial withdrawals could tip you into a higher tax bracket and you could find yourself paying 40 or 45 per cent tax on some of your pension savings. Another potential issue, highlighted by the FCA report, is that pension savers could be missing out on guaranteed annuity rates.

Some pension savings schemes come with a guaranteed level of income on retirement that can’t be matched if the fund is taken in other ways. Worryingly, the FCA found that 68 per cent of those accessing their pension funds who had guaranteed annuity rates built into their pension savings did not take them up, with some losing this valuable benefit by taking their savings earlier than the retirement age set for the guaranteed income. It is perhaps not surprising that so many savers with pension funds of less than £30,000 chose to withdraw the full amount. Pension funds of this size are unlikely to generate significant income via either an annuity (a guaranteed income for life) or via drawdown (taking withdrawals direct from the fund with the fund invested for continued growth). Your pension savings may be an ideal source of funding for key expenses, such as settling an outstanding mortgage debt. However, whatever size of pension fund you have managed to accumulate, it is still important to consider the impact spending it now will have on your income in retirement. The trend to encash pension funds early may well leave us with future pensioners entirely dependent on the state pension and, to quote one of our supermarket chains, when it comes to retirement income, every little helps. Importantly, the Government has indicated that spending all of your pot before you reach retirement may adversely affect your entitlement to benefits such as pension credit. With so many issues to be factored in when considering accessing your pension fund, it would seem sensible to get financial advice. However, the FCA’s data shows that 42 per cent of those who made direct withdrawals and 63 per cent of those who bought annuities didn’t consult a regulated adviser. Equally worryingly, 58 per cent of those who made direct withdrawals and 64 per cent of those who bought annuities did so through the company with whom they had built up their pension fund, suggesting that they did not shop around for the best terms available in the wider market.

“Your pension savings may be an ideal source of funding. However, whatever the size of pension fund you have managed to accumulate, it is still important to consider the impact spending it now will have on your income in retirement”

Carl Lamb ALMARY GREEN INDEPENDENT FINANCIAL ADVISERS

For independent advice, contact Almary Green on 01603 706740 or email enquiries@almarygreen.com. Please remember that the advice here is generic and we recommend that you get individual personalised advice. MARCH 2016

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Julian Gibbons states his case in favour of access to justice for everyone WWW.NORTONPESKETT.CO.UK | 01493 849200

THERE IS A LONG-STANDING constitutional convention that politicians do not criticise the senior judiciary. In exchange, judges and generals don’t comment on government policy. Of late, that convention has come under a certain amount of strain. The most recent example is the appearance of the Master of the Rolls Lord Dyson, the Court of Appeal Judge and President of Tribunals Lord Justice Ryder and the President of the Family Division Sir James Munby before the House of Commons Justice Committee. Of course, once politicians start asking questions of senior judges before a public hearing, they cannot really complain when they receive robust answers. In this case, MPs faced a barrage of withering criticism on the issues of access to justice. Lord Dyson was highly critical of the effects of massive increases in court fees, which he said deterred people from pursuing cases in court. The government, he said, had carried out hopelessly inadequate research before implementing the reforms and many people were falling through the net, being ineligible to obtain fee remissions but unable to afford the increased fees. Ironically, for a government which purports to support small business, the fee hikes had, he said, made it far more difficult and expensive for businesses to pursue claims and bad debts, with fees on debts over £10,000 being calculated at five per cent of the claim up to a maximum fee of £10,000! For companies already struggling with cash flow through bad debt, hefty court fees are the last thing they need. Against this sort of background, it was difficult to attach any credibility to the government’s position, namely that increased fees would not affect claims levels. A similar point was made in relation to Employment Tribunals, where there has been a 70 per cent drop in cases since fees were introduced.

In the case of Sir James Munby, he focused on the large number of litigants in person which the family courts in particular had to deal with once most legal aid was withdrawn from family cases. Already one begins to see cases being reversed on appeal, where the failure of one or both parties to have legal representation had meant that cases at first instance are being decided without judges being aware of all the facts or having all relevant arguments put to them. What the government saves in legal aid, it is in danger of spending instead on lengthier cases and more appeals. It is also reflecting on the lower judiciary in a much more personal way, with at least one judge claiming disability discrimination and bullying from having made complaints to Ministry of Justice officials about the workload and the denial of justice to many litigants which have arisen from court closures and inadequate time for cases to be heard. Governments cannot resist tinkering with systems that actually work quite well. In this case, though, it has the unfortunate effect of producing some consequences which were wholly predictable. Ministers believe what they want to believe and are adept at shutting out contrary opinions from those whose positions in the legal profession or the judiciary make them best placed to know. Unfortunately, the last few years have a whole raft of similar changes which have been advanced with mantras from government about value for money, efficiency and the interests of the consumer. Where they have turned their sights on the legal profession itself they have encouraged outside investment in legal practices to build corporate buy-it-highsell-it-cheap models. Unfortunately, at the same time they have pulled away some of the elements which such models could only be based upon, by massive changes in areas such as legal aid and personal injury costs. The result is a number of high profile firms entering into administration, leaving quite literally millions of pounds owed to unsecured creditors, with a number of listed companies who were encouraged to enter the market seeing their share price plummet, having to close offices and lay off staff. This is in danger of sounding reactionary and it is easy for lawyers to be criticised for resisting change out of pure selfinterest. However, the comments from normally restrained senior judges should be a warning that what is at stake here is nothing less than access to justice, something that any civilised country and government should fight to preserve.

“Governments cannot resist tinkering with systems that actually work quite well. In this case, though, it has the unfortunate effect of producing some consequences which were wholly predictable”

Julian Gibbons NORTON PESKETT SOLICITORS

MARCH 2016

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29k miles · Petrol · Automatic · Cruise · Climate · 8 Leather Seats · Alloys ABS · A/C · CD E/M · E/W · Tinted Windows · Driver’s Partition

Here at Great Yarmouth Coachworks we offer everything for the motorist in the Norfolk and North Suffolk area of East Anglia. Sales of quality vehicles Servicing and repairs

MOT testing Towbar fitting

www.gyccarsales.co.uk | 01493 843835

15 Queens Road, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, NR30 3HT

£8495

£10295

2013 63 Fiat 500 L 1.3 M/Jet Diesel Lounge 5 Door Hatch Alloy Wheels, Remote Locking , Climate Control, 20000 Miles

2014 Fiat 500 L 1.6 M/Jet Trekking 5 Door Hatch , Met Black/ White Roof, Alloy Wheels, Body Styling, 6 Speed Gearbox, 16000 Miles

TMC CARS at

Toft Monks Car Centre Yarmouth Rd, Toft Monks, Beccles T: 01502 677742 Anglia Auto Centre, Barford, Norwich T: 01603 759799 www.toftmonkscars.hpi.co.uk

KIRKLEY RUN TYRES & WHEELS Huge Discounts on all major brands * *

All tyre prices include:

• Fitting • Balancing • New Valve • VAT & Casing Disposal

Tyres Batteries Brakes Exhausts Alloy Wheels

No hidden extras The price we say is the price you pay! *With FREE accidental damage cover

www.kirkleytyresandwheels.co.uk KIRKLEY RUN SERVICE STATION LOWESTOFT 01502 565529

SOUTHTOWN RD SERVICE STATION GT YARMOUTH 01493 600432

SOUTH QUAY SERVICE STATION GT YARMOUTH 01493 857099

All-New

Renault KADJAR Start living

With touchscreen navigation From

ÂŁ174.95

per month*on contract hire

With free metallic paint

Renault Business The official fuel consumption figures in mpg (l/100km) for the All-New Renault KADJAR Dynamique Nav TCe 130 are: urban 41.5 (6.8); extra-urban 57.7 (4.9); combined 50.4 (5.6). The official CO2 emissions are 126g/km. EU Directive and Regulation 692/2008 test environment figures. Fuel consumption and CO2 may vary according to driving styles, road conditions and other factors. BUSINESS USERS ONLY. Price excludes VAT. *36-month contract hire based on 10,000 miles and 6+35 profile (6x monthly payment in advance followed by 35 monthly payments). At the end of the contract you will not own the vehicle. Further charges may apply subject to the mileage and condition of the vehicle at the end of the contract. Finance provided by Renault Finance, PO Box 149, WD17 1FJ. Subject to status. Indemnities may be required. Over 18s. Excludes the Channel Islands. We may introduce you to other finance providers. Terms and conditions apply. Visit www.renault.co.uk or participating dealers for full details. Offers are valid on eligible vehicles when ordered by 31 March 2016 and registered by 30 June 2016.

MITCHELLS LOWESTOFT 50â&#x20AC;&#x201C;58 Long Rd, Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 9DQ Tel 0844 875 9626 www.mitchellsrenault.co.uk

Book a test-drive

MIXING IT UP The venerable urban 4x4 has been given a hybrid powertrain, but it’s now in a crowded marketplace. Can the new Toyota Rav4 Hybrid compete? Ed Wiseman finds out WHAT’S NEW? The Toyota Rav4 emerged at around the same time as the Spice Girls. Both products were destined for mid-90s success by virtue of their cheerful, slightly plasticky nature. If anything could define the year 1997, it would probably be Wannabe reverberating around the scratchy interior of a first-gen Rav4. Toyota was clearly on to something though, as every other car is now a chunky, upright, urban 4x4 with off-road pretensions and a high driving position. This latest iteration – a hybrid – is also up against some stiff competition. LOOKS AND IMAGE The car looks much more aggressive than it did in its previous form. It’s angular and has a gaping front end, part of the distinctively divisive Toyota design language. It doesn’t turn heads, but it’ll look good wherever it goes. While it has off-road aspirations and some 4x4 capability, it also looks good in town. It isn’t as utilitarian-looking as Rav4s of old, and the “hybrid” badge on the back separates it from the gas-guzzling soft-roaders that still crowd the school gates. Realistically, this isn’t a car you’ll crave on an emotional level, rather one you’ll choose after objective consideration.

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SPACE AND PRACTICALITY The 4x4 version of the Hybrid will deliver the best part of 200bhp, and it’ll tow over 1,600kg. This means the Rav4 Hybrid is a viable light utility car, and it effectively replaces the diesel 4x4 for those who want a bit of a workhorse. Inside, the cabin is spacious enough for four adults to travel in comfort. The boot is decent, with 501 litres of space with the back seats in place and 1,633 litres with the seats folded. The seats don’t fold flat, though, and the cargo space is rather an awkward shape. BEHIND THE WHEEL The Rav4 Hybrid will reach 62mpg in a solid 8.4 seconds. It’s not a performance car and was never meant to be, but this acceleration makes the car feel quite nippy. The CVT gearbox generates some noise, but when left to its own devices will help propel the car smoothly up to cruising speed without any drama – great on slip roads or when pulling out of junctions. A well-hidden button allows you to engage “EV” mode, which will keep the car running silently on battery power only for as long as possible, but there’s hardly any range in this system – a mile or so, at best.

FACTS AT A GLANCE

VALUE FOR MONEY

DEALER DETAILS

Dingles Toyota branches in Attleborough, Lowestoft and Norwich www.dingles.co.uk Twitter: @dinglestoyota Facebook: Dingles Toyota

Prices correct at the time of going to press

Toyota Rav4 Hybrid, from £26,195 Engine: 2.5-litre petrol engine powering electric motors Transmission: CVT gearbox powering two or four wheels Performance: Top speed 112mph, 0 to 62mph in 8.4 seconds Fuel economy: Two-wheel-drive 57.6mpg, four-wheel-drive 55.4mpg Emissions: Two-wheel drive 115g/km, four-wheel-drive 118g/km

Depending how and where you drive, the Rav4’s value is in running costs. It’s not a cheap car to buy, but it is a cheap car to keep on the road – it consumes a thrifty cocktail of petrol and self-generated electricity, and Toyota’s legendary reliability and build quality should keep maintenance costs low. WHO WOULD BUY ONE? If you’re looking for a light 4x4, take the Rav4 for a test drive. It doesn’t corner like an Elise, but the hybrid powertrain coupled with 4x4 capabilities offer a lot of practicality to make up for it. If you’re accustomed to the oomph of a diesel but want to kick the habit, now’s a good time to start. MARCH 2016

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DEALER DETAILS

Holden Motors Barker Street Norwich NR2 4TQ Tel: 01603 756655 www.volvocarsnorwich.co.uk

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THE XC�� FACTOR

Volvo’s award-winning SUV is now available in R-Design form, bringing an extra dose of style and distinction. Matt Joy takes another look

WHAT’S NEW? If you weren’t familiar with it already, Volvo’s XC90 is a landmark car for the Swedish brand. It’s the first product to come from it under Chinese ownership and has ruffled feathers amongst the established brands due to its smart design, quality finish and overall refinement. Now the R-Design version has joined the range and brings with it the expected injection of sporty attitude inside and out. As standard, the R-Design model gains 20-inch alloy wheels plus gloss and silver detailing, sports seats, adjustable drive modes and further appealing embellishments inside.

Prices correct at the time of going to press

LOOKS AND IMAGE In regular trim the XC90 treads the ideal line between discreet and purposeful, with its eye-catching grille and “Thor’s hammer” headlight graphics. The R-Design swings the balance a little further however, with the 20-inch alloys adding aggression. The test car wore optional 22-inch rollers and was finished in stark red paint, making it a clear competitor for the Range Rover Sport, but careful selections on the options front means you can create your ideal mix. Either way the XC90 is a handsome beast, with its star quality being that it is distinct from its key rivals that tend to be either too blunt or just too commonplace.

SPACE AND PRACTICALITY You might plump for the XC90 R-Design on style grounds but there’s no compromise on the practicality front either. Inside it’s simply vast; this is a family car and no mistake. Up front you can relax in acres of space, the second row is generous and the third row is one of the more useful in the class and is easy to access, too. The boot is useful in seven-seat mode and huge in five-seat configuration, and plumping for the air suspension means you can raise and lower the rear end for easier loading. BEHIND THE WHEEL All the XC90’s seats are comfortable but the driver’s seat is the place to be. The sports chairs are multi-adjustable and the layout of the dashboard is intelligent and understated. The touchscreen system dominates, but it’s a cinch to use and it only takes a few minutes to get familiar with its layout. There are no mechanical changes to the R-Design other than the larger wheels, but even riding on the 22-inch versions the ride quality is only a fraction firmer. The optional air suspension soaks up bumps very well and keeps the XC90 composed at speed – only the occasional float reminds you it’s air not steel keeping the wheels in touch with the tarmac. The four-cylinder diesel unit provides impressive acceleration with 0 to 62mph despatched in just 7.8

seconds, and it remains refined even when pressed. Better still, though, is its cruising comfort, with a claimed 48.7mpg combined available. The driving mode selector allows you to choose an eco-setting for softer throttle response, while dynamic mode sharpens the steering, engine and gearbox. It’s not a high performance SUV but it’s sufficiently agile without sacrificing comfort. Choosing the R-Design over the Momentum trim with 20-inch wheels on which it’s based costs an additional £2,500, but for that you get the 12.3inch TFT instruments, the part leather seats with electric adjustment, the drive select system, sports pedals, black headlining and upgraded cabin lighting. There are some choice options available too, including the air suspension at £2,150 and winter pack for £1,025. There’s even a Bower & Wilkins audio system at £3,000 which isn’t cheap but which delivers incredible sound quality. WHO WOULD BUY ONE? There’s no question that the XC90 is a perfect family machine, as long as you’re comfortable with your stickyfingered offspring being allowed inside. In R-Design form it’s that bit more distinctive from the outside which means it can go toe-to-toe in the car park hierarchy with the key German and British rivals, so, even if your kids have long since flown the nest, the XC90 has kerbside kudos in spades.

FACTS AT A GLANCE

Volvo XC90 D5 R-Design, £49,285 Engine: 2.0 litre diesel unit producing 222bhp and 347lb.ft of torque Transmission: Eightspeed automatic gearbox driving all four wheels Performance: Top speed 137mph, 0 to 62mph in 7.8 seconds Economy: 48.7mpg combined Emissions: 152g/km of CO2 MARCH 2016

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ICEMAN

COMETH Matt Kimberley checks out the Suzuki Vitara 1.6 Allgrip SZ5 and discovers it’s an all-weather friend

THE VITARA HAS HAD A RELATIVELY EASY TIME OF IT over the last month or so, ferrying Mrs K and me to and from relatives over Christmas and New Year before enjoying a bit of a giggle in January’s sudden snow showers. It was only when sitting down to write this update that I realised what I’d simply taken for granted beforehand. The Vitara conjures a wonderfully confident set of road manners in all weathers – although by “all weathers” I really mean “cold and really, really wet” and “really, really cold but dry”, because for the last few weeks it’s only been one or the other. The tyres aren’t especially wide, at 215mm, and they are the fuel economy-friendly eco model from Continental. Efficiency tyres aren’t known for gripping especially well, but these seem superb. In torrential rain, through brand new rivers flooding down and across roads, on days where the mercury doesn’t rise above 1˚C and on those days where they all cross over each other, the EcoContact 5s have been mightily impressive. Of course, the car has to take its share of the credit, and there have been limitations. The Allgrip system that engages drive to the rear wheels when the fronts start to slip has probably been working fine, but you barely ever notice it working because in the Auto driving mode the traction control simply cuts power to the front wheels instead of allowing the rears to take the strain. It compromises a fundamental part of why four-wheel drive is so effective, and part of me wonders whether a front-wheel drive Vitara might have been able to do everything this one has, for a lower cost.

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Slippage has mainly been after deliberate provocation on my housing estate, which isn’t gritted and probably never will be unless it’s done manually by the residents. The tyres quickly cry “enough!” and give up the ghost (and the grip). Delicate driving sees the car through, but it was easy to overstep the mark and start to slide at the front. Despite finding the limits, it’s clear that given how capable the Vitara proved on summer rubber, a set of good winter tyres must turn it into a little ice-road genius. The dodgy weather did give me the perfect (and only) chance to try the snow driving mode, which improves on Auto by sending more power to the rear wheels by default. It’s surprisingly effective, even with the summer tyres being way out of their comfort zone, allowing a little light snow-plugging without getting stuck. Elsewhere I’m afraid to say the novelty of the orange dashboard trim has worn off and I’d quite like to swap it for a black or textured grey. It’s perfectly possible, Suzuki says, but there are only so many alternative colour options.

DEALER DETAILS

M.R. King Suzuki Horn Hill Lowestoft Suffolk NR33 0PX T: 01502 573955 www.mrking.co.uk

Prices correct at the time of going to press

FACTS AT A GLANCE

Suzuki Vitara 1.6 Allgrip SZ5, from £20,299 (£21,099 as tested, range from £13,999) Engine: 1.6-litre petrol producing 118bhp and 111lb/ft Transmission: Five-speed manual gearbox driving all four wheels on demand Performance: Top speed 112mph, 0 to 62mph in 12.0 seconds Fuel Economy: 50.4mpg Emissions: 130g/km

In better news the wheels are still free of any kerb damage, thanks to those tyres (again). They bulge out just enough with a tall enough profile to form a protective cushion that keeps the vulnerable metal of the wheel itself safe. The tall tyres help to give a good ride quality, too. I won’t hesitate to recommend these Continentals in future. But for now the snow has mostly melted and the temperatures are beginning to rise again. It’s still raining (a lot) but at least I know the Vitara has dealt with worse. Easily.

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EXPANDING THEIR HORIZONS Simpsons Motor Caravans in Great Yarmouth is proud of its illustrious past and is looking forward to the future, with some exciting new plans in the pipeline MANY PEOPLE IN EAST ANGLIA will already be aware of Simpsons Motor Caravans, located on Suffolk Road in Great Yarmouth. In fact, the company’s extensive premises just can’t be missed, with the large forecourt area home to around 80 or 90 new and used motorhomes. Meanwhile, a large selection of new and used cars is on show next door at the company’s sister business, Simpsons Skoda. Thanks to modern technology, however, news of this impressive company has travelled much further than East Anglia, with customers travelling from all corners of the country (last year they even had a client from New Zealand!). It’s not difficult to see why. The range of motorhomes on offer includes such popular makes as Auto-Trail, Auto-Sleeper, Autocruise, Rapido, Elddis and Bessacarr, and Simpsons has also recently been appointed as the area’s local Chausson dealer, with vehicles available from April. The company also sells pre-loved motorhomes and tow caravans and consequently is East Anglia’s largest motorhome dealer. Sales director Belinda Crick, whose late father Simon Woodgreaves founded the company in the early 1960s, explains: “Simpsons are always looking out for goodquality, used motorhomes and caravans.” Belinda adds: “Auto-Trail is probably our biggest-seller – and Auto-Sleeper

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and Elddis – we’ve been doing them for years. And we are proud to be the area dealer for Chausson. Our only imported vehicles are Chausson and Rapido; all other brands are English manufactured.” The company offers a wide choice of motorhomes, from twoberths up to six-berths and, in addition to a range of brand new motorhomes for this year, is offering special deals on the last remaining new 2015 motorhomes. All of the models are highly sought-after, with prices for used motor caravans starting at around £25,000 and going up to around double that, while prices for brand new vehicles begin at around £40,000, rising to around £70,000. Not only do Simpsons’ customers come from far and wide, but their customer based is mixed – naturally, motor homes are popular with those who’ve retired and who’ve got plenty of time on their hands for exploring, but they also get a lot of interest from families. The beauty of the Simpsons Motor Caravans Centre is that it’s a one-stop shop. Besides the wide range of vehicles for sale, the company offers repairs, cleaning and servicing (both habitation and mechanical servicing – ie. for the living areas and the engines), and the experienced team is also there to help with before and after sales and any other queries. As Simpsons states on its website: “We pride ourselves on our exceptional aftercare that only a family-run business can provide and, with over 50 years of experience, you can trust Simpsons Motor Caravans.” There’s also a fully-stocked parts and accessories shop (run by Michelle Wing) and a team of expert sales staff headed up by managing director Andrew Aldis, who has been with the company since 1977. When it started in Lowestoft in the early 1960s, Simpsons was a VW dealership, becoming so successful that founder Simon Woodgreaves built large new premises in the town before moving into the former Long’s Garage on Suffolk Road, Yarmouth, in the mid-1980s. By 2006 he had sold off the Lowestoft business and expanded the Yarmouth site, so that he and his team could concentrate on the motorhome and garage businesses, with the carside of the company also switching to VW-owned Skoda in 2006. But back to the motorhomes. Some of Simpsons’ clients are first-

time buyers, while others have owned motorhomes for many years, often trading in an older model when buying a more up-to-date version. Others have come to the end of the motor homing road and simply want to sell up, in which case Belinda and her team will be very happy to offer them a deal. The motorhomes themselves are fantastic, with contemporary kitchen, bathroom, living and sleeping areas all cleverly contained inside, as Kate Wing, the company’s sales and marketing assistant, explains: “They try to maximise every single nook and cranny – some people go away in these for months and want to take as much as possible. You can just turn up somewhere in your motorhome and you’re done!” Different makes and models have different layouts, but all are very cleverly designed, with hobs, ovens, fridges, freezers and microwaves in the kitchen areas; comfortable seating and dining areas, full-size beds and light and airy showers and toilets. Some models also have a “garage” – a storage area accessible from the back of the vehicle, which is great for keeping folding or electric bikes (on sale in the accessories store). Since it began more than 50 years ago, the company has clearly come a long way, with new and used stock arriving all the time, and it has plenty of plans for the future. The forecourt is open Monday to Saturday, so that customers can take a look around themselves, while the knowledgeable sales team is always on hand to offer help and advice on everything from the vehicles themselves to finance offers, insurance and warranties. Customer service is key and with such a can-do attitude and a wealth of history and experience, the award-winning Simpsons Motor Caravans is clearly going places.

Simpsons Motor Caravans

Suffolk Road, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk NR31 0LN Tel: 01493 809815 • E: sales@simpsonsmotorcaravans.com www.simpsonsmotorcaravans.com

Ford Ecosport Titanium SUV

FORD ECOSPORT TITANIUM 5 DOOR £16,145.00 • 17" alloy wheels • Silver roof rails • Chrome-finish front grille and fog lights

High Street Ludham,Norfolk, NR29 5QQ 01692 678215 Official fuel consumption figures in mpg (l/100km) for Ford EcoSport Titanium: urban 42,8 (6,6), extra urban 60,1 (4,7), combined 53,3 (5,3). Official CO2 emission 125g/km. Retail only. Metallic paint extra cost. Vehicles shown for illustration purposes only. This supersedes all previously advertised manufacturer’s promotions. Details correct at time of going to print. Subject to availability. Contact us for terms and conditions. Applies to new vehicles, contracted between 01/01/2016 and 31/03/2016 and registered between 01/01/2016 and 31/03/2016. Where savings are shown, advertised prices are calculated by deducting the saving from the manufacturer’s recommended OTR price.

NEW RAV4 HYBRID AT DINGLES TOYOTA

0% APR

£199

Representative over 24 months*

per month^

Multimedia system with satellite navigation Reversing camera DAB radio

THE ORIGINAL SUV. NOW EVEN MORE ORIGINAL. Dingles Toyota (Attleborough) Buckenham Road Attleborough NR17 1NB Tel: 01953 458200

Dingles Toyota (Norwich) Delft Way Norwich NR6 6BB Tel: 01603 480000

Dingles Toyota (Lowestoft) London Road South Lowestoft NR33 0AS Tel: 01502 526700

/DinglesToyota @dinglestoyota

www.dingles.toyota.co.uk Model shown is 2016 RAV4 Hybrid Business Edition Plus 5 door FWD 2.5 VVT-i Auto £26,195. Price excludes metallic paint at £495. Prices correct at time of going to press. *0% APR Representative only available on new retail orders of RAV4 between 18th December 2015 and 31st March 2016 and registered and financed through Toyota Financial Services by 30th June 2016 on a 2 year AccessToyota (PCP) plan with 0%-32% deposit. ^Payment shown is based on a 24 month AccessToyota contract with £6,318 customer deposit and Guaranteed Future Value/Optional Final Payment. Toyota Financial Services (UK) PLC; registered office Great Burgh, Burgh Heath, Epsom, Surrey, KT18 5UZ. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Indemnities may be required. Finance subject to status to over 18s. Other finance offers are available but cannot be used in conjunction with this offer. Excess miles over contracted charged at 12p per mile. Toyota Centres are independent of Toyota Financial Services. Terms and conditions apply. Affordable finance through AccessToyota. 5 year/100,000 mile manufacturer warranty subject to terms and conditions.

2016 RAV4 Hybrid Business Edition Plus 5 door FWD 2.5 VVT-i Auto. Official Fuel Consumption Figures in mpg (1/100km): Urban 57.6 (4.9), Extra Urban 56.5 (5.0), Combined 57.6 (4.9). CO2 Emissions 115g/km. All mpg and CO2 figures quoted are sourced from official EU regulated laboratory test results. These are provided to allow comparisons between vehicles and may not reflect your actual driving experience.

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NORFOLK NATIONAL GARDEN SCHEME 2016 BOOKLET LAUNCH EVENT EAST RUSTON OLD VICARAGE The National Gardens Scheme in Norfolk held a launch event for the 2016 Norfolk NGS Booklet at East Ruston Old Vicarage on Wednesday, February 3, by kind permission of Alan Gray and Graham Robeson. The new booklet lists private gardens of quality, character and interest around the county that open their doors for charity. More at: www.ngs.org.uk Photos by SIMON SMITH

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Bev Cole, Bill Kerr and Sheila Lindon Christine Powles and Celia Alibone Peter Boardman feeding Basil! David and Jackie Moss and Sue Lloyd Paul Rutter and Karen Roseberry Sarah Beart and Alan Gray Isabel Cator and Moira Smith Mr and Mrs Nick Collier

9. Neil Foster and Gus Stafford Allen 10. Kirsty Reader and Jean Austen 11. Sue and Fred Nickerson 12. Robert and Kathy Lane and Andrew Glover 13. Graham Watts, Julia Stafford Allen and Susan Copeland 14. Patricia Stevens, Ruth Boden and Sally Ward

MARCH 2016

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GORLESTON LIFEBOAT BALL OCEAN ROOMS 385 guests enjoyed a delicious dinner produced by Mark Dixon of The King’s Arms, Fleggburgh, and danced the night away to the music of Scratch The Cat at the Ocean Rooms, Gorleston. The Ladies’ Lifeboat Guild’s first fundraising event of 2016 raised the magnificent sum of £10,021 for the Gorleston Lifeboat Station and Crew.

Photos by ROSS HAGAN and LENNIE GENT

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1. Sintija and Panos Christophi 2. Avril Soards and David Grief 3. Coral and Alan Doggett 4. Kevin and Amy Bennington 5. Scott and Leanne Bennington 6. Alan and Terrina Muffett 7. Denise and Dennis Troy 8. Tammy George and Ben Penning 9. Janet Gent and Val Moxey 10. Paddy Lee and Shirley Weymouth 11. Lauren, Rachel, Andrea, Dianna Loveland and Arianna Waters 12. Mandy Wells and Heidi Ellis 13. Sheila and Keith Elliott

14. Jessica Leeder and Michael Dewbry 15. Zoe Allen and Barry Westgate 16. Trevor Bland and Jane Biss 17. Greg and Ann-Marie Doggett 18. Kathy Whyte and Paul Reynolds 19. Sharon and Blair Ainslie 20. Sharon and Michael Fleming 21. Ben Tracy, Adam Darling and Emma King 22. Andy Pembroke and Belinda Colman 23. Janet Gent and Derek Needham 24. Emma Storey, Dee Kilpatrick, Perri Kane and Kim Platford 25. Sue and Gary Ryan 26. Kerry, Lennie and Louise Gent

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BIG C’S 35TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS BOB CHAMPION RESEARCH AND EDUCATION BUILDING, NORFOLK & NORWICH UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL The chair and board of trustees of Big C held a reception on Thursday, January 28 to celebrate the Norfolk and Waveney cancer charity’s 35th anniversary. Around 200 guests were treated to drinks and canapés, kindly provided by Adnams and Brasted’s, before watching the premiere of the Big C anniversary film (made by Mustard TV) and listening to a speech by Dr Chris Bushby, CEO. Founded in 1980 by David Moar and Clive Bamford, the Big C has raised over £25 million to help cancer patients, with funds spent on equipment, research, support and information centres. www.big-c.co.uk Photos by WWW.ADIKA.PHOTOGRAPHY

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1. Commemorative cake 2. Annette Jude, Simon Crocker and Helen McDermott 3. Prof Dylan Edwards 4. Dr Chris Bushby 5. Philip Blanchflower, Suzie Abel, Dr Chris Bushby and Carole Slaughter 6. Jonathan Woolston 7. Susan and Alan Watling and William Armstrong 8. Anna Dugdale and Prof Richard Mithen 9. Ray and Theresa Cossey, Gaye and Chris Youngman

10. Graham Barber,Edward Hare and Peter Lufkin 11. Simon Crocker, Angela Robson, Daniel Williams, Jeremy Robson 12. Clive Evans,Denise Johnson and Marian Graveling 13. David and Carolyn Moar, Davina Simons and Neil Perry 14. Fiona Ryder and Nikki Morris 15. David Bills and Ken Leggett 16. Nick Mills, Paddy Seligman and David Moar 17. Christine Sayer and Lesley Hall

MARCH 2016

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WEX PHOTOGRAPHIC’S PRIVATE VIEW THE FORUM, NORWICH Wex Photographic held a private view exhibition for special guests and photographers at The Forum in Norwich to view the “best of the best” photography from its weekly Twitter competition #WexMondays. Hundreds of people entered with over 1,000 pictures judged. Matthew Dartford from Norfolk was announced the winner with his pictures of a shot of the Milky Way over Happisburgh Lighthouse in Norfolk and a North Sea platform.

Photos by KATE MORFOOT, JUNGLE PR

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1. North Sea Platform by Matthew Dartford 2. Milky Way over Happisburgh Lighthouse by Matthew Dartford 3. Matthew Dartford (Wex Photographer of the Year 2015 ) with Louis Wahl (left) of Wex Photographic 4. Liz and Gary McCoy 5. Judith and David Hopely 6. Louis Wahl 7. Rowan Mason and Amanda Walker 8. Lee and Diana Acaster 9. Ben Page and William Morfoot 10. Emma van Deventer, Matthew Devine, Ben Piper and Emily Kerrison 11. Martin Pettigrew and Sharon Wyer

12. Alison and Graham Shingfield 13. Chris Grimmer and Jon Devo 14. Chris Ball, Louis Wahl and Peter Marron 15. Martin Tosh and Nick Smith 16. Josh and Steve Jaggard and Nathan Lomax 17. Katherine Broadbent and Fiona Tosh 18. Caroline Culot and Kit Papworth 19. Aiden Watts and Holly Crook 20. Jordan Woolnough, Emma Hayden and David Woodcock 21. Claire McConnell, Paula Cooper and Matthew Dartford 22. Josh Jaggard and Ben Page 23. Diane Smith, Rachele Kelsall and Jo Hocking

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FIVE MINUTES WITH

BEN CONWAY

Independent opticians Dipple & Conway are currently celebrating their 100th anniversary. We find out about this fascinating business from the founder’s great grandson… Dipple & Conway is sponsoring the new Hair Show during Norwich Fashion Week – can you tell us about this?

What is your role within the business? As a dispensing optician, my job is to interpret a client’s prescription and make sure they receive the best possible advice when it comes to choosing the best frame and lenses to suit their lifestyle. Although there’s a lot of physics, complex calculations and facial measurements, it’s important to understand each person’s needs. That way we can improve a client’s vision but also help them choose a pair of glasses that makes them look and feel fantastic. Alongside my uncle, James Conway, I am also responsible for selecting the spectacles and sunglasses that we sell - visiting designers and suppliers, seeking out the latest trends and innovative design, whilst still with an eye for classic style.

How did Dipple & Conway begin?

The Dipple & Conway Hair Show takes place on March 11 and we are massively excited about it. It’s the first time Norwich Fashion Week has included a hair show and because there is a natural synergy between glasses and hair, we were excited to get involved. We’re also inviting people to take part in our #enjoythespectacle portrait project - details on our website.

What have been the biggest changes in the optical world since your business began? Technology! Some of the diagnostic equipment and capabilities that we have in practice would scarcely be believed by my late grandfather Dominic and would be considered absolute sorcery by Thomas, my great grandfather… In just a second or two our Ocular Coherence Tomographer – which is a hospital-standard eye scanner - can scan a 3D cross-section of the eye, giving us the ability to spot and monitor potentially life-threatening ocular conditions.

Dipple & Conway Opticians was founded in 1916 in Norwich, initially a partnership between George Dipple, an established Norwich jeweller, and Thomas Conway, a young optician. After the deaths of the founding partners in the 1950s, the Dipples and Conways went their separate ways but the Dipple & Conway brand name was retained in Norwich. In the 1980s, Thomas Conway’s grandsons - Damian, Robert and James – became responsible for driving Dipple & Conway forward and expanded the business to Diss and Swaffham. Now, as we celebrate our 100th birthday, my cousin Matthew and I have taken over the reins as joint managing directors. We’re still very much a family business, with eight Conways actively involved. But our business family also includes our staff team who are critical to everything we do.

Will any more family members be joining you in the future?

Why do you enjoy working for the company? I love being able to help people, whether it’s finding them the perfect spectacles or sunglasses to suit their personal style or helping them understand the practicalities of a particular eye condition. We are also in the enviable position of being a family that actually enjoys one another’s company.

On a rare Saturday off work, after a modest lie-in, we might head to the coast at Winterton for a lazy amble along the beach. Ideally we’d be back in time to watch Norwich City play and have a few pints in our local, The Fat Cat. For an exceptional end to the day I would head for the pizzas at Brick or the sushi at Ciscoe’s.

How are you celebrating your anniversary year?

And what are your plans for the future?

We have a range of celebrations taking place, from a special event at Norwich Castle to our centenary exhibition at the Museum of Norwich in October. We’ve collected thousands of optical artefacts over the past 100 years – from stunning vintage frames to glass eyes – and we’re looking forward to sharing our collection with the people of Norfolk. We’ll also be launching a very special competition soon so keep a close eye on our website and Facebook page for more information.

My immediate plan is to marry my beautiful fiancée Jenna in September, and wedding planning is definitely at the front of my mind. Looking further ahead, I have always been fascinated in the construction and evolution of glasses and would love to design and manufacture a really classic spectacle collection befitting Dipple & Conway’s heritage.

Although Dipple & Conway is a family-run, independent company, we are still a meritocracy – we seek and reward talent and have a wealth of extraordinary individuals working with us. However, if any of the fifth generation of Conways choose to be involved in the future, that would be fantastic.

What do you like about living in Norfolk? I enjoyed living in London for ten years and moved back to Norwich four years ago. I love being able to walk to work, and the fact that you will always bump in to a friend really adds a nice flavour to life here.

How would you spend a day off in the area?

www.dippleconway.co.uk @dippleandconway

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